Some
denominations teach that once you say a sinnerís prayer, you are saved; no matter
what you do, you can never lose your salvation. Regardless of what sin you commit,
you will still go to heaven. Just say that prayer, and everything will be all
right.

A
second line of thought is, once you are saved, you can never lose your salvation;
however, salvation is not as easy as simply saying a prayer. A person must come
by faith in Jesus Christ and with repentance. With the prayer, goes a commitment
of obedience to Jesus Christ. Even though the person said a prayer, if they
do not continue steadfast in the faith, then it was never a true conversion.
If the person goes back into willful, intentional sin and rebellion against
God and His Word, the person was never truly born-again.However, some would say the
person was saved and he can never fall. Some would also say that a person in
this church age can never commit the unforgivable sin, and that they can even
turn from trusting God and commit suicide and still go to heaven.

The
third line of thought is that you can be saved by faith, but if you stray and
go back into willful, intentional sin and rebellion against God and His Word
and do not repent, you can lose your salvation. It teaches that if your faith
fails for an extended period of time, you can fall and you will perish. This
third line of thought teaches that once you are saved, you can turn your back
on God and walk away from Him. If you walk too far, you can lose your salvation.Both the second and third line
of thought stand on many Scriptures that tend to support their position. There
are also varied opinions between these. The first position also stands on Scripture,
but it falls apart quickly in view of the whole counsel of God.

2-MANY
NOT SAVED

To understand each position, we must first examine what real salvation is. How
do we really get saved? Does the Bible tell us these things? The answer is yes.
Godís Word tells us very clearly how to be saved. One might wonder how there
can be so many opinions on the same subject. The answer is very complex, yet
one part is simple. Many of our religious leaders themselves are not saved.
This may shock some people, but it is true. The majority of our religious leaders
today are not really saved. They are the blind leading the blind, and they both
will fall into the pit. It was the same when Jesus was on the earth. He constantly
warned the people about the religious leaders. Jesus taught "Follow Me,"
(not a religion). "Follow Me," (not a denomination). "Follow
Me," (not another person)-ref Lk 5:27; Lk 9:23. How do we follow Jesus?
The answer is in the Bible. Generally speaking, Catholics follow the Catholic
denomination, rather than Godís perfect Word. Methodists follow their denomination,
and so do Baptists, and Pentecostals, and so on. If their denomination is misleading
them, they seldom seem to know it. They believe the words of their preacher,
priest, or rabbi, rather than Godís Word, almost every time. The Bible tells
us, MY PEOPLE (Godís people) ARE GONE INTO CAPTIVITY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE...THEREFORE
HELL HATH ENLARGED HERSELF-Isa 5:13,14. Jesus said, THIS PEOPLE DRAWETH NIGH
UNTO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND HONORETH ME WITH THEIR LIPS; BUT THEIR HEART IS
FAR FROM ME-Mt 15:8. THEY WORSHIP ME IN VAIN; THEIR TEACHINGS ARE BUT RULES
TAUGHT BY MEN-Mt 15:9 NIV.It is very common these days,
when witnessing to people, that they respond, "I have my own religion."
Indeed, they do. They often follow their religion right to the lake of fire.
No one will enter heaven through a "religion." It is only through
Jesus Christ that we can enter heaven. Jesus says, MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICEÖAND
THEY FOLLOW ME-Jn 10:27. You can follow Jesus and His teachings, or follow your
"denomination" right to hell. Which choice will you make?

3-HOW
TO BE SAVED

Many
people in these last days seem to think God is not so strict anymore. Some know
very little about how the Bible says to be saved. God is love. Many seem to
believe He will forgive all. A standard question among some is, "Can you
remember a time when you asked Jesus into your life?" If you say, "Yes,"
then it is generally accepted that you are born-again. The Bible tells us, to
BE READY ALWAYS TO GIVE AN ANSWER TO EVERY MAN THAT ASKETH YOU A REASON OF THE
HOPE THAT IS IN YOU WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR-1 Pe 3:15. Hell is going to be full
of people who thought they were "born-again." The Bible commands us
to examine ourselves. It is not something you guess at or hope for blindly.
It is not something that you "feel." Salvation is not something that
you leave to chance, and take "pot luck." Salvation is not being a
good person or earning your way into heaven. What is it then? Paul tells us,
EXAMINE YOURSELVES, WHETHER YE BE IN THE FAITH; PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES-2 Cor
13:5. FOR IF WE WOULD JUDGE OURSELVES, WE SHOULD NOT BE JUDGED-1 Cor 11:31.

4-TO
PUT SALVATION BRIEFLY

You have to first acknowledge you are a sinner. For all HAVE SINNED, AND COME
SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD-Ro 3:23. Be willing to change, to turn away from sin,
and live for Jesus. Be willing to repent, and follow the Word of God.
Open your heart.Be willing to ask God
to help you make that change. It is written, KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP
OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? WHOSOEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE
WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD-Ja 4:4. HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME-Lk 11:23.
Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
Believe Jesus died for your sins and paid the penalty for you. Ask for forgiveness.
Ask for Godís mercy. By faith, receive Jesus Christ. Be willing to let
the Spirit of God come into you and take control. It is written, STRAIGHT IS
THE GATE, AND NARROW IN THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT
FIND IT-Mt 7:14. After you have made this decision for Jesus by faith, and after
you have repented, then follow immediately in baptism by immersion-ref
Mk 16:16; Ro 6:4; Col 2:12; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost. Do it Godís way. The Scriptures tell us, BY THIS GOSPEL YOU
ARE SAVED-1 Cor 15:2 NIV.

Right
now, make up your mind that you are going to follow Jesus. If your church does
not follow the Scriptures, then separate from it. Follow the pure Word of God,
and find a good, Bible-teaching church. Right now, bow in prayer, and say this
prayer from your heart.Dear Jesus, I am a sinner.
I believe You are the Son of God, and died for my sins on the cross. Forgive
all my sins. Remove all my doubts. Jesus, I ask You to come into my life. Help
me to follow and obey Your commandments, and to live for You. Jesus, I give
You my life. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Thank you for coming into my life.
I ask it in the name of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

If
you have just made that decision for Jesus by faith, please write and let us
know.

We
should have a booklet called Guidelines From the Bible to send you. This
should help you get started off in the right direction. Be baptized immediately,
and follow the Gospel in obedience. Be sure to confess Jesus Christ, God's only
begotten Son as your only hope of salvation to people and never be ashamed-ref
Ro 10:9-11; 2 Cor 4:13; 1 Tim 6:12; Heb 3:6.

The Bible tells us, BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM.NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH
UNTO ME, LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN;
BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.MANY WILL SAY TO ME IN THAT
DAY (the day of judgment), LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN THY NAME? AND
IN THY NAME HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS? AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS?
(Doesnít this sound like they are saved?) AND THEN WILL I PROFESS UNTO THEM,
I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY-Mt 7:20-23. Even while
standing at the judgment, they believe they are saved. They seem to be saying,
"Lord, we accepted You as our Saviour" (in other words, Lord, Lord),
but Jesus is saying back to them that He never knew them. Jesus did not accept
them. We might ask, "Why? How could this be?" The answer lies in the
previous verse: Only those who do THE WILL OF MY FATHER enter into the kingdom
of heaven-Mt 7:21.

6-WHAT
BORN-AGAIN REALLY MEANS

Jesus
said, VERILY, VERILY I SAY UNTO THEE, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT
SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD-Jn 3:3. EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT,
HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD-Jn 3:5. One might ask, "How can
I be born-again?" First, understand that GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE
GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH,
BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE-Jn 3:16. IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD
WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD. AND THE WORD (Jesus) WAS MADE FLESH AND
DWELT AMONG US, (AND WE BEHELD HIS GLORY, THE GLORY AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN
OF THE FATHER,) FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH-Jn 1:1,14. Jesus became sin for us.
He died on the cross for our sins. We can receive this forgiveness by believing
on Jesus, repenting of (or turning our back on) all sin, asking Jesus to come
into our hearts, confessing Jesus publicly (never be ashamed), and following
the Gospel in obedience (including baptism).

Jesus
teaches Nicodemus about the necessity of the newbirth. Nicodemus said to Jesus, WE KNOW THAT THOU ART A TEACHER COME
FROM GOD-Jn 3:2. Note the word "we." He seemed to be saying that many
of the religious leaders knew that Jesus came from God. Yet, the Scriptures
show us that they would not bow down to Jesus. They would not receive Him as
their Lord and Saviour. Jesus told Nicodemus, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE
CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD-Jn 3:3. These were the spiritual leaders of Israel.
They believed they knew God, yet Jesus plainly told them that they did not know
His Father.Jesus was relating to Nicodemus,
that he must be born-again. He must have a new nature. He must put off the old
and put on the new. Nicodemus did not understand. He said, HOW CAN A MAN BE
BORN WHEN HE IS OLD? CAN HE ENTER THE SECOND TIME INTO HIS MOTHERíS WOMB, AND
BE BORN?-Jn 3:4. His question showed that he had no understanding of the concept
of being born-again. Jesus commented back, THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS
FLESH; AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT-Jn 3:6. Jesus is relating
that the new birth was of the Spirit, and not of the flesh. A person must be
born of the Spirit. He must be born-again. He needs to have the Spirit of God
on the inside of him.Such a concept was unheard
of by the religious leaders. Such words as these and others that Jesus spoke
greatly irritated them. Jesus was from Galilee, a carpenter from Nazareth, yet
He was teaching the people and the religious leaders. He was relating to all
that they needed their sins forgiven. This must have greatly irritated the religious
leaders. Jesus makes it clear that without the new birth they could not see
the kingdom of God.They did not understand, neither
would they accept or believe such teaching.Each of us are confronted with
these same words. We need to come before God with a humble, childlike attitude
of repentance and submission. All have sinned. All are unworthy. Again, the
words of Jesus ring out, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT
SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD. JESUS ANSWERED, VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE, EXCEPT
A MAN BE BORN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF
GOD-Jn 3:3,5.No matter how righteous we
may think we are, and no matter how religious we may be, without the new birth,
no one will see the kingdom of God.

We
can see emphasis in this area, as Jesus said, ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE:
FOR WIDE IS THE GATE, AND BROAD IS THE WAY, THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND
MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THEREAT. Many try to enter heaven their own way. They
seek to enter through their denomination or doctrine, rather than through Godís
perfect Word. BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH
UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT-Mt 7:13,14. Few ever find the way to
which the Scriptures are referring. So few will study their Bible. Very few
churches preach the true "narrow way," which is the only way that
leads unto life.The Bible tells us, BUT, EXCEPT
YE REPENT, YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH-Lk 13:3. There are so many that teach,
just believe on the name of Jesus. It seems many forget that we must also repent.
We must be born-again. Jesus tells us, NO MAN PUTTETH A PIECE OF NEW CLOTH UNTO
AN OLD GARMENT, FOR THAT WHICH IS PUT IN TO FILL IT UP TAKETH FROM THE GARMENT,
AND THE RENT IS MADE WORSE. NEITHER DO MEN PUT NEW WINE INTO OLD BOTTLES: ELSE
THE BOTTLES BREAK, AND THE WINE RUNNETH OUT, AND THE BOTTLES PERISH: BUT THEY
PUT NEW WINE INTO NEW BOTTLES, AND BOTH ARE PRESERVED-Mt 9:16,17. When we are
born-again, we are changed and made new. We begin to conform to Christ's nature.
We put aside the old; all things are made new. We repent, turn aside from our
old sinful ways, and follow our new Master, Jesus. We stop serving Satan. We
begin serving the only begotten Son of God. We cannot serve two masters: both
Jesus and the world. If we are of the world, we do not belong to Jesus. The
Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, saying, A NEW HEART ALSO WILL
I GIVE YOU, AND A NEW SPIRIT WILL I PUT WITHIN YOU-Ezek 36:26. Have you been
born-again? Have you received Godís Spirit in you?

It
is written, YET TO ALL WHO "RECEIVED" HIM, TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN
HIS NAME, HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD-CHILDREN BORN NOT OF NATURAL
DESCENTÖBUT BORN OF GOD-Jn 1:12,13 NIV. To be born-again, is to be born of God.
He did not save us, BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUS THINGS WE HAD DONE, BUT BECAUSE OF
HIS MERCY. HE SAVED US THROUGH THE WASHING OF REBIRTH AND RENEWAL BY THE HOLY
SPIRIT-Titus 3:5 NIV. We are changed, born-again, and made new through the Holy
Spirit. God gives us this great gift, in order that, BEING JUSTIFIED BY HIS
GRACE, WE SHOULD BE MADE HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE-Titus 3:7.
IN HIS GREAT MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH-1 Pe 1:3 NIV. The new birth changes
us. Therefore, IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE
PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW-2 Cor 5:17. WHAT COUNTS IS A
NEW CREATION-Gal 6:15 NIV. BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED
BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND-Ro 12:2. We are born-again, transformed, and renewed.
Now, we conform to Godís will, not to this world. Have you truly been born-again?The Scriptures tell us, to
PUT OFFÖTHE OLD MAN (or the old self), WHICH IS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL
LUSTS; AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW
MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS-Eph 4:22-24.
For without holiness, no one will see the Lord-ref Heb 12:14. We put aside the
lusts of this world and follow Jesus. Godís Spirit comes into us and gives us
the power we need to overcome this world, even while being in the world. The
renewing of our mind begins, as we, PUT OFF THE OLD MAN WITH HIS DEEDS; AND
HAVE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH IS RENEWED IN "KNOWLEDGE" AFTER THE
IMAGE OF HIM THAT CREATED HIM-Col 3:9,10. God is telling us over and over when
we are born-again, we put aside our old self. We begin living for the
next world. So many people think they are going to enter the kingdom of heaven
when they die, yet they have never "put off the old man with his deeds."
They have never been renewed in the "spirit of their mind." They have
never been born-again, as they are not willing to give up living for this world.
They enjoy sin for a season, which results in hell and the lake of fire for
eternity.It is written, HE THAT COMMITTETH
SIN IS OF THE DEVIL; FOR THE DEVIL SINNETH FROM THE BEGINNING. FOR THIS PURPOSE
THE SON OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED (appeared), THAT HE MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF
THE DEVIL. WHOSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN (does
not intentionally go on sinning); FOR HIS SEED REMAINETH IN HIM: AND HE CANNOT
SIN, BECAUSE HE IS BORN OF GOD-1 Jn 3:8,9. THIS IS HOW WE KNOW
WHO THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE AND WHO THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL ARE-1 Jn 3:10
NIV. FOR YOU HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN, NOT OF PERISHABLE SEED, BUT
OF IMPERISHABLE, THROUGH THE LIVING AND ENDURING WORD OF GOD-1 Pe 1:23 NIV.
FOR ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF GRASS.
THE GRASS WITHERETH, AND THE FLOWER THEREOF FALLETH AWAY: BUT THE WORD OF THE
LORD ENDURETH FOR EVER-1 Pe 1:24,25. Those who are born-again will endure forever.
SEEING YE HAVE PURIFIED YOUR SOULS IN OBEYING THE TRUTH-1 Pe 1:22. We must know
and obey the truth. We are saved by faith, which COMETH BY HEARING, AND HEARING
BY THE WORD OF GOD-Ro 10:17. The Bible tells us, Godís people are destroyed
for a "lack of knowledge"-ref Hos 4:6.

It
is written, FOR WHATSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD OVERCOMETH THE WORLD:
AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMETH THE WORLD, EVEN OUR FAITH-1 Jn 5:4.
THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST-Ro 5:1. A person is to overcome the world. HEREBY KNOW
WE THAT WE DWELL IN HIM, AND HE IN US, BECAUSE HE HATH GIVEN US OF HIS SPIRIT.
WHOSOEVER SHALL CONFESS THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD, GOD DWELLETH "IN"
HIM, AND HE IN GOD-1 Jn 4:13,15. Ask yourself, does God actually dwell in you?
If you are still living in intentional sin, the answer is no. Godís Spirit will
enter you when you are truly born-again.

The
Bible tells us, Godís Word is NIGH (near) THEE, EVEN IN THY MOUTH, AND IN THY
HEART: THAT IS, THE WORD OF FAITH, WHICH WE PREACH; THAT "IF" THOU
SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALT BELIEVE
IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THOU SHALT BE SAVED.
FOR WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION
IS MADE UNTO SALVATION. FOR THE SCRIPTURE SAITH, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM
SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED-Ro 10:8-11. The confession the Bible is referring to here
is not a confession of belief in Jesus when you join a church. This is a confession
before many witnesses. When we are "born-again," we no longer live
for ourselves, but for Jesus. We confess Jesus to many, as the only hope we
have to be saved. It is written, THE HOPE OF WHICH WE BOAST-Heb 3:6 NIV. As
our faith is, so we will speak of Jesus. If we have little faith, there will
be little speaking. If much faith, there is much speaking about Jesus. Paul
tells us, "I BELIEVED; THEREFORE I HAVE SPOKEN." WITH THAT SAME SPIRIT
OF FAITH WE ALSO BELIEVE AND THEREFORE SPEAK-2 Cor 4:13 NIV. When we are born-again,
we will be testifying of Jesus. We will not be ashamed. Have you taken hold
of eternal life, resulting in much confession about Jesus? TAKE HOLD OF THE
ETERNAL LIFE TO WHICH YOU WERE CALLED WHEN YOU MADE YOUR GOOD CONFESSION IN
THE PRESENCE OF MANY WITNESSES-1 Tim 6:12 NIV. Have you been born-again and
thereby, have CROSSED OVER FROM DEATH TO LIFE?-Jn 5:24 NIV. Do you think you
can do it your way and not follow Godís way? The Bible warns us, THERE IS A
WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN; BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH-Pv
14:12.Very soon, we will stand in
front of our Creator. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment-ref Heb 9:27. Will you stand before Him, and say, "Lord, Lord,
we did this and that," only to have Him tell you, "Depart from Me,"
and you are cast into the lake of fire? How tragic to have Him say to you, YE
HAVE NEITHER HEARD HIS VOICE AT ANY TIME, NOR SEEN HIS SHAPE. AND YE HAVE NOT
HIS WORD ABIDING IN YOU: FOR WHOM HE HATH SENT, HIM YE BELIEVE NOT. SEARCH THE
SCRIPTURES; FOR IN THEM YE THINK YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE: AND THEY ARE THEY WHICH
TESTIFY OF ME. AND YE WILL NOT COME TO ME, THAT YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE-Jn 5:37-40.
What a day it will be, when you stand in front of the greatest judgment of them
all! You may there find out that because you chose to follow a "religion"
and not Godís Word that now you will pay an eternal price in the lake of fire.
Yes, your preacher, priest, or rabbi may also be there in hell. Those who followed
Godís Word from the Bible and searched out the truth for themselves will take
hold of eternal life. There will be no excuses for you, such as, "My religious
leader told me this or that." God may slowly open the Bible and say, "Yes,
you chose to follow manís doctrine, and not My Word. You chose to follow manís
interpretation of the Word, instead of studying for yourself, to find out what
I really said." By not following God, you have followed Satan. Now, you
will dwell in the same place he does: the lake of fire, which was prepared for
Satan and his angels. Enjoy sin for a season, for eternity in hell. You will
have an eternity to think about this mistake, with no one to blame but yourself.
When you buy something of great value, do you purchase it without seeing it
first? Are you too busy in this world to check out Godís Word?

7-A
NOTE ABOUT BAPTISM

Mk 16:16-HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH
NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. The Scriptures tell us to believe (first) and afterward
be baptized.Mt 28:19,20-GO YE THEREFORE,
AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND
OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE
ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: AND, LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN
UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. AMEN.The Scriptures tell us, REPENT
(first), AND BE BAPTIZED (second) EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE
HOLY GHOST-Acts 2:38. Luke tells us, AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HEARD
HIM, AND THE PUBLICANS, JUSTIFIED GOD, BEING BAPTIZED WITH
THE BAPTISM OF JOHN-Lk 7:29. Note, they first heard the Word, then were
baptized by full immersion (baptism of John); not by sprinkling (Ro 6:4 and
Col 2:12), and not as a child or baby. BUT THE PHARISEES AND LAWYERS REJECTED
THE COUNSEL OF GOD AGAINST THEMSELVES, BEING NOT BAPTIZED OF HIM-Lk
7:29,30. Have you rejected God by not being baptized the way the Bible commands
after receiving Jesus as your personal Savior?

8-MUST
HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

You must have the Holy Spirit in you. If you do not have Godís Spirit in you,
you are none of His, as it is written, Ro 8:9-NOW IF ANY MAN HAVE NOT THE SPIRIT
OF CHRIST, HE IS NONE OF HIS.You are not born-again, if
you do not have the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus tells us, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP
MY COMMANDMENTS. AND I WILL PRAY THE FATHER, AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER,
THAT HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOR EVER; EVEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH; WHOM THE
WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, BECAUSE IT SEETH HIM NOT, NEITHER KNOWETH HIM: BUT YE
KNOW HIM; FOR HE DWELLETH WITH YOU, AND SHALL BE IN YOU-Jn
14:15-17. There is a condition placed on receiving Godís Spirit. It is obedience
to the Gospel. For he that KEEPETH HIS COMMANDMENTS DWELLETH IN HIM, AND HE
IN HIM. AND HEREBY WE KNOW THAT HE ABIDETH IN US, BY THE SPIRIT WHICH HE
HATH GIVEN US-1 Jn 3:24. AND BEING MADE PERFECT, HE BECAME THE AUTHOR OF
ETERNAL SALVATION UNTO ALL THEM THAT OBEY HIM-Heb 5:9.God also tells us we must not
walk after the flesh, but rather do as Godís Word commands. As it is written,
THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO
WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT-Ro 8:1. When we
confess our sins, repent, and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our sins
are forgiven. Not only are our sins forgiven, but, AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM
THE WEST, SO FAR HATH HE REMOVED OUR TRANSGRESSIONS FROM US-Ps 103:12. THOUGH
YOUR SINS BE AS SCARLET, THEY SHALL BE AS WHITE AS SNOW; THOUGH THEY BE RED
LIKE CRIMSON, THEY SHALL BE AS WOOL-Isa 1:18.Godís Spirit gives you
the power, if you are born-again to resist and give up
all intentional sin. Because, GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU (the
Spirit of God), THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD (Satan)-1 Jn 4:4. Have you resisted
sin to the point of blood?-ref Heb 12:4.

We must make sure that our "zeal" for God is accompanied by "knowledge"
(Godís Word). If it is not, we may go astray. Only through Godís Word can we
hope to resist Satan as he comes against us to mislead us. The Bible tells us
to put on the full armor of God, which is His Word-ref Eph 6:11, so that we
do not become like those who HAVE A ZEAL OF GOD, BUT NOT ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE
(the Word of God from the Bible). FOR THEY BEING IGNORANT OF GODíS RIGHTEOUSNESS,
AND GOING ABOUT TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, HAVE NOT SUBMITTED THEMSELVES
(given themselves) UNTO THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD-Ro 10:2,3. Because they
did not know the Bible, the people were lost. They had a zeal for God,
but did not understand God. They are destroyed for a lack of knowledge, and
hell hath enlarged herself-ref Hos 4:6; Isa 5:13,14.We are commanded to study
and meditate in Godís Word. If you are disobeying Godís Word,
you are in sin. As it is written, THIS BOOK OF THE LAW SHALL NOT DEPART OUT
OF THY MOUTH; BUT THOU SHALT MEDITATE THEREIN DAY AND NIGHT, THAT THOU MAYEST
OBSERVE TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT IS WRITTEN THEREIN: FOR THEN
THOU SHALT MAKE THY WAY PROSPEROUS, AND THEN THOU SHALT HAVE GOOD SUCCESS-Jos
1:8. RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS THE ENGRAFTED WORD, WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS-Ja
1:21.Along with studying the Word,
you must also be a doer of the Word. As James tells us, BUT BE YE DOERS OF THE
WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY; DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES. FOR IF
ANY BE A HEARER OF THE WORD, AND NOT A DOER, HE IS LIKE UNTO A MAN BEHOLDING
HIS NATURAL FACE IN A GLASS-Ja 1:22,23. Do you go to church and read your Bible
(listen to the Word), but neglect to do it? The Bible commands us to be a doer
of the Word. This includes obeying the commandments, as well as witnessing for
Jesus as God directs. Does not the Bible say we are His witnesses? Witnessing
is a command to every born-again believer. If you are ashamed to witness for
Jesus, He will be ashamed of you at judgment-ref Lk 9:26. Is this you? By not
witnessing for Him, you are denying Him. We can deny Him by our actions. You
may study the Word, go to church, and give money to the church. You may even
do your best to obey the Ten Commandments. Yet, if you will not let your "light
shine" (the hope you have of salvation in Jesus), then you are on your
way to hell and probably donít even know it. If you will not serve Jesus now,
you will not have a chance to serve Him in heaven. While works do not save you,
a lack of works will condemn you. By their fruits ye shall know them.

10-FAITH,
BUT WHAT ABOUT WORKS?

We are saved by "faith." The Bible tells us, FAITH COMETH
BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD-Ro 10:17. Faith comes only from Godís
Word. We must also act on the Word. For it is written, AS THE BODY WITHOUT THE
SPIRIT IS DEAD (if you do not have Godís Spirit, you are not born-again), SO
FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD ALSO-Ja 2:26. EVEN SO FAITH, IF IT HATH NOT WORKS,
IS DEAD, BEING ALONE. YEA, A MAN MAY SAY, THOU HAST FAITH, AND I HAVE WORKS:
SHOW ME THY FAITH WITHOUT THY WORKS, AND I WILL SHOW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS:
(by what I do)-Ja 2:17,18. Again, the Scriptures say, BUT WILT THOU KNOW, O
VAIN MAN, THAT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD? SEEST THOU HOW FAITH WROUGHT WITH
HIS WORKS, AND BY WORKS WAS FAITH MADE PERFECT?-Ja 2:20,22. Notice, that faith
is made perfect through works. YE SEE THEN HOW THAT BY WORKS
A MAN IS JUSTIFIED, AND NOT BY FAITH ONLY-Ja 2:24.For by Godís GRACE ARE
YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF
GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST. FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP CREATED
IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED
THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM-Eph 2:8-10.We are saved by grace. This
is a gift of God. We cannot earn it. To come under grace, we must follow in
obedience to the Word. We need to believe, which means a total uncompromising
commitment of love and obedience. Are you truly born-again?

* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

11-HOW
DOES SATAN WORK?

Once you make that decision for Jesus, Satan cometh immediately to take the
Word out of your heart. Satan knows that once you are filled with Godís Word,
it is much more difficult for him to deceive you. If you are going to pull up
a tree, it is best to do so before it grows big. Satan will try to pull you
away from sound doctrine, while you are a new Christian, or a small tree. Your
roots must be established through knowledge (through the Word). Satan cannot
stand before the Word. If you do not have the Word implanted in you, how can
you use it against Satan? I remember a new Christian saying, "Satan cannot
deceive me." This statement is contrary to Scripture and shows a great
lack of understanding. Today, that person seems far from God, although he is
unable to recognize it. He is wandering around in darkness, not knowing where
he is going. When a person makes such a statement, it shows they are already
deceived.One of the first things Satan
will often try to do is to prevent a person from being baptized by immersion
once they have asked Jesus into their life. Regretfully, he succeeds with many.
Baptism is a command of obedience for the new Christian. Satan will do anything
he can to stop it. Several times, we have seen people get sick the day they
are to be baptized. We have frequently seen unbelievers used to persuade the
person to put off being baptized. They may say, "Do it later." Time
after time, religious leaders attach little or no importance to baptism. Thus,
the new Christian is deceived. Many religious leaders baptize incorrectly, when
viewed in light of the Scriptures. The new Christian, who knows little of the
Word, is easily deceived. Sometimes these people who are deceiving others are
themselves born-again, yet they try to make the Scriptures say something they
do not. Satan, indeed, uses anything he can to try to make you fall back into
sin. The lake of fire was prepared for Satan and his angels. Those who will
not stand firm in Jesus will also be there for eternity. The Bible tells us,
he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved. Satan will try to make you
fall. He commences the attack, even when you begin to think about
coming to Jesus. When you want to do something for Jesus, you will probably
"feel" you should not do it. Satan is called "the prince of the
power of the air." The Bible does not tell us to go by feelings, but "obey
the Word." If you go by feelings, chances are you will be greatly deceived
and never know it. It is by the Word (knowledge), which produces faith, that
we stand firm; not by feelings.When God wants you to do something,
Satan will try to make you "feel" it is wrong. How do we know what
Godís will is? by "the Word." You may say, "But I donít have
time to get into the Word." Congratulations, you just confessed you are
doing exactly what Satan wants you to do. If you do not have time, you are most
likely living for this world. How much time do you spend partaking of idle talk,
watching TV, going to the movies, or reading books or newspapers? Why not spend
"all" that time studying Godís Word instead? If the world is stopping
you, then something is wrong. The Bible tells us we are not of this world. We
are called to overcome the world and our fleshly desires. Spend much more time
in Godís Word. Attend a good, Bible-teaching church. Spend more time working
for Jesus. Fellowship with true, fruit-bearing believers and separate from those
who are "not of God." What place hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
What place has a Christian with a non-Christian? What place has light with darkness?-ref
2 Cor 6:14. The darkness cannot comprehend the light. Your purpose for being
with unbelievers, should be to witness to them, not to fellowship on things
of the world. Beware, lest Satan use them to draw you back into the world and
away from the hope of your salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ. Never underestimate
Satanís ability to deceive you, by putting thoughts into your mind.

The Scriptures tell us that God created Satan. YOU WERE THE MODEL OF PERFECTION,
FULL OF WISDOM AND PERFECT IN BEAUTY. YOU WERE IN EDEN, THE GARDEN OF GOD; EVERY
PRECIOUS STONE ADORNED YOUÖYOUR SETTINGS AND MOUNTINGS WERE MADE OF GOLD; ON
THE DAY YOU WERE CREATED THEY WERE PREPARED. YOU WERE ANOINTED AS A GUARDIAN
CHERUB, FOR SO I ORDAINED YOU. YOU WERE ON THE HOLY MOUNT OF GOD; YOU WALKED
AMONG THE FIERY STONES. YOU WERE BLAMELESS IN YOUR WAYS FROM THE DAY YOU WERE
CREATED TILL WICKEDNESS WAS FOUND IN YOU. THROUGH YOUR WIDESPREAD TRADE YOU
WERE FILLED WITH VIOLENCE, AND YOU SINNED. SO I DROVE YOU IN DISGRACE FROM THE
MOUNT OF GOD, AND I EXPELLED YOU, O GUARDIAN CHERUB, FROM AMONG THE FIERY STONES.
YOUR HEART BECAME PROUD ON ACCOUNT OF YOUR BEAUTY, AND YOU CORRUPTED YOUR WISDOM
BECAUSE OF YOUR SPLENDOR. SO I THREW YOU TO THE EARTH-Ezek 28:12-17 NIV. Did
not Satan deceive the angels in heaven? They are now held in CHAINS UNDER DARKNESS
UNTO THE JUDGMENT OF THE GREAT DAY-Jude 6. If Satan can deceive angels, who
are stronger than you, do not think he cannot deceive you. It is only through
the loving grace of God that we are called. It is through the Holy Spirit in
us and the "Word" which dwells in our hearts, that we can keep from
being deceived by Satan. How did Jesus stand against Satan in the wilderness?
It was through the Word. Satan is not able to stand against the Word, which
is a two-edged sword.The Scriptures describe Satan
as a deceiver, liar, murderer, accuser, tempter, prince, destroyer, and the
evil one. He is called Lucifer, son of the morning; the god of this age; the
prince of this world; the prince of the power of the air; and the spirit that
works in the children of disobedience. Satan wiles, devises, snares, beguiles,
seduces, opposes, resists, blasphemes, deceives, sows tares, hinders, buffets,
tempts, persecutes, and rules evil men and spirits. Do not dare to think you
can stand against the schemes of Satan, except through the Word and Godís mercy.
Even if you study the Word, the Bible tells us if we do not obey (do) the Word,
we are deceived-ref Ja 1:22. Do not give place to Satan to lead you astray.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. You do give place to Satan by not
studying and doing the Word.The Bible tells us of SATAN,
WHO LEADS THE WHOLE WORLD ASTRAY-Rev 12:9 NIV. AND THE DEVIL THAT DECEIVED THEM-Rev
20:10. Therefore, we are to BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT (be self-controlled and alert);
BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY (your enemy) THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT,
SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR-1 Pe 5:8. NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL-Eph 4:27.

So many Bible teachers are deceiving people in these last days. God warns us,
FOR SUCH MEN ARE FALSE APOSTLES, DECEITFUL WORKMEN, MASQUERADING AS APOSTLES
OF CHRIST. AND NO WONDER, FOR SATAN HIMSELF MASQUERADES AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.
IT IS NOT SURPRISING, THEN, IF HIS SERVANTS MASQUERADE AS SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
(ministers of righteousness-KJV). THEIR END WILL BE WHAT THEIR ACTIONS DESERVE-2
Cor 11:13-15 NIV. Did you hear that? The Bible said servants or ministers of
righteousness. Only those that study and obey the Word are going to escape the
fire of hell. He that hath an ear, let him hear.God is speaking through His
Word. The Lord said, SIMON, SIMON, BEHOLD, SATAN HATH DESIRED TO HAVE YOU, THAT
HE MAY SIFT YOU AS WHEAT-Lk 22:31. Do not ever think that Satan cannot deceive
you. If you do, Satan may sift you as wheat. Paul wrote about half of the New
Testament, yet he said, WE WOULD HAVE COME UNTO YOU, EVEN I PAUL, ONCE AND AGAIN;
BUT SATAN HINDERED US-1 Thes 2:18. If Satan hindered Paul and his company, what
might he do to you?

It
is written, Eph 6:10-FINALLY, MY BRETHREN, BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND
IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.11-PUT
ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES (or
schemes) OF THE DEVIL.12-FOR
WE WRESTLE (or struggle) NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES
(or authorities), AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS
WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES (or spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms-NIV).13-WHEREFORE
TAKE UNTO YOU (or put on) THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND
(or stand your ground) IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL (or everything),
TO STAND.14-STAND
THEREFORE (firm), HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH (or the belt of truth
buckled around your waist), AND HAVING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS;15-AND
YOUR FEET SHOD (or fitted) WITH THE PREPARATION (or readiness) OF THE GOSPEL
OF PEACE;16-ABOVE
ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH (or extinguish)
ALL THE FIERY DARTS (or flaming arrows) OF THE WICKED.17-AND
TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD
OF GOD.Please listen carefully to
the next verse. SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL,
AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU-Ja 4:7. Kindly notice that before you resist the devil
you must first, SUBMIT YOURSELVESÖTO GOD. How do we do this? By
obeying all of Godís Word. Now, the next verse says, DRAW NIGH (near) TO GOD,
AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH (near) TO YOU. CLEANSE YOUR HANDS, YE SINNERS; AND PURIFY
YOUR HEARTS, YE DOUBLE MINDED. HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND
HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP-Ja 4:8,10.

*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CAN YOU
LOSE YOUR SALVATION?CAN SATAN DRAW
YOU AWAY BEFORE YOU ARE EVEN SAVED?14-THE
PARABLE OF THE SOWER

For it is written, in Lk 8:5-15-A SOWER WENT OUT TO SOW HIS SEED: AND AS HE
SOWED,SOME FELL BY THE WAY SIDE;
AND IT WAS TRODDEN DOWN, AND THE FOWLS OF THE AIR DEVOURED IT.AND SOME FELL UPON A ROCK;
AND AS SOON AS IT WAS SPRUNG UP, IT WITHERED AWAY, BECAUSE IT LACKED MOISTURE.
AND SOME FELL AMONG THORNS; AND THE THORNS SPRANG UP WITH IT, AND CHOKED IT.
AND OTHER FELL ON GOOD GROUND, AND SPRANG UP, AND BARE FRUIT AN HUNDREDFOLD.AND WHEN HE HAD SAID THESE
THINGS, HE CRIED, HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR. AND HIS DISCIPLES
ASKED HIM, SAYING, WHAT MIGHT THIS PARABLE BE? AND HE SAID, UNTO YOU IT IS GIVEN
TO KNOW THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD: BUT TO OTHERS IN PARABLES; THAT
SEEING THEY MIGHT NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND. NOW THE PARABLE
IS THIS:

15-THE
SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD

1)
THOSE BY THE WAY SIDE ARE THEY THAT HEAR; THEN COMETH THE DEVIL, AND TAKETH
AWAY THE WORD OUT OF THEIR HEARTS, LEST THEY SHOULD BELIEVE AND BE SAVED. These
appear to have a heart that is not right toward God. They hear the Word, but
may respond with hostility. They reject the Word and do not want to hear it.
You can feel their hardness when you try to witness to them. They may be hardened
by sin, and even enjoy sin. However, chances are, they may think of themselves
as good people. If they believe in heaven, they probably think they can enter
their own way, by their own acts of righteousness. Because of their hardness,
Satan is able to come and take the Word out of their hearts. They are doomed
to hell, unless they repent.

2)
THEY ON THE ROCK ARE THEY, WHICH, WHEN THEY HEAR, RECEIVE THE WORD WITH JOY;
AND THESE HAVE NO ROOT, WHICH FOR A WHILE BELIEVE, AND IN TIME
OF TEMPTATION FALL AWAY. Many of these people are what some call "church
pew Christians." They may go to church and give their tithes. They listen
to the Word, and believe. Nevertheless, their belief does not continue steadfast
until the end. God allows us to go through temptations, to see how we will respond.
These temptations take many forms. Will we hold fast and trust the Lord, or
fall back into unbelief and sin? This may apply to some of you reading this
message. You may be receiving the Word with joy; you may be praising God, but
will you fall away as temptations come upon you? Do you believe, but refuse
to do as God commands? Do you believe, but not obey? You may say you believe,
but deny Him by your actions. These people will perish to hell, unless they
repent, because their heart is not right toward God. The Word cannot take root
and grow. They may appear to be Christians on the outside, but, inwardly, they
are not. God searches the hearts. They may deceive some people, but God cannot
be mocked. When the time comes that a person searches for God with all their
heart, then God will hear from heaven.

3) AND THAT WHICH FELL AMONG THORNS ARE THEY, WHICH, WHEN THEY HAVE HEARD, GO
FORTH, AND ARE CHOKED WITH CARES AND RICHES AND PLEASURES OF THIS LIFE, AND
BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION. These people also heard the Word and believed
for a time. As the Word began to take root within them and grow, thorns also
sprang up with the Word, and choked it. The Word can be choked by the following
things.
The first is cares (or worries) of this life. A person may be
so worried about his business or job that there is no time to read the Bible.
He may be so worried about his wife or girlfriend, that there is no time for
the Word. Satan will use these things to you to keep your faith from developing.
Are cares or worries of this life hindering your spiritual growth? The Bible
tells us to cast our burdens on the Lord. To do this takes faith, which comes
from hearing and obeying (doing) the Word. If Satan is able to stop you from
getting into the Word, then your faith will not be sufficient to allow you to
cast your burdens on the Lord. It is faith that moves God to answer your prayers.
The cares and worries of this world hinder your spiritual growth. Satan knows,
if he can keep you from reading or hearing the Word (and doing it), he can keep
you from growing in faith and may eventually cause you to fall. Without the
Word, you cannot stand against Satan. He will use the cares and worries of this
life to keep you from the Word as much as possible. Will you let him?The second thing Jesus mentioned
is riches. The Bible tells us, THE LOVE OF MONEY IS A ROOT OF ALL KINDS
OF EVIL-1 Tim 6:10 NIV. Note it said, the "love of" money. It did
not say that the money was evil, but if you trust in it rather than God, how
can you be saved? If you love money and riches, these will choke the
Word (the seed), that it cannot bear fruit. Are you so busy earning a living,
that there is just no time for God in your life? You may hear and believe Godís
Word; nevertheless, you also love the riches of this world. You cannot serve
two masters. You cannot serve God and this world. You cannot serve both God
and money. When a certain merchant came to Jesus and asked what he must do to
be saved, one of the things Jesus told him was to sell all that he had. Jesus
knew that he loved his possessions more than God, and that this would choke
the Word from growing. It is written, SELL ALL THAT THOU HASTÖAND COME AND FOLLOW
ME. AND WHEN HE HEARD THIS, HE WAS VERY SORROWFUL: FOR HE WAS VERY RICH-Lk 18:22,23.
Is this you? Are the riches of this world choking the Word from growing in you?
Do you have to work long hours because you want the "good things of this
life"? Does God always seem to take second place? We are to seek "first"
the kingdom of God. Are you seeking first the things (the riches) of this world?
Oh, what a price to pay! eternity in hell. The third thing Jesus mentioned is
pleasures of this life. The Word is choked by pleasures of this life.
How much do your enjoy pleasures, such as drugs, drinking, sex, smoking, going
to parties, gambling, or lusting after a pretty girl?You may spend 12 or more years
educating your mind in the things of this world through school and college.
How much time have you spent educating your mind for the world to come through
the Bible? How many hours do you spend feeding your spirit with movies or books
containing violence, murder, adultery, stealing, and dirty jokes? How can you
hope to live a holy life, when you feed your spirit with these things rather
than the Word of God? The pleasures of this life take us away from Godís Word.
"Hey guys, there is a great movie playing tonight." The Bible gets
set aside for the pleasures of this world. God takes second place. Oh, how you
may enjoy having sex with that pretty girl. It was just too much to resist as
she gave you an invitation. The Bible tells us to, FOLLOWÖHOLINESS, WITHOUT
WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD.It may be difficult to give
up the "pleasures of this life." Nevertheless, until the day comes
that you make God "first" in you life, you are living under the plight
of "condemnation." You are destined for hell. You may believe, you
may go to church, you may even confess Jesus to people, but have you been able
to pull yourself away from ungodly, worldly pleasures? Has the Word taken second
place in your life? Does Godís will comes after "your will"? Does
Godís will comes after you go to the party, have sex with that person, smoke
that cigarette, or drink that beer? Do you defile the temple of the Holy Spirit,
which is your body, with all kinds of ungodly things? Donít you know that your
body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, if you are saved? However, if you are
living in sin (the ungodly, pleasures of this world), you are not saved.
The Scriptures tells us, NO ONE WHO CONTINUES TO SIN HAS EITHER SEEN HIM OR
KNOWN HIM-1 Jn 3:6 NIV. Are you so busy with the cares (worries), riches, and
pleasures of this life that you bring no fruit to perfection (your fruit never
ripens)? Are you saving souls? You may witness for Jesus, but do you actually
lead people to Jesus? Your fruit will never ripen when too many other things
come first. The tree that never receives water, will surely die.

4)
BUT THAT (the Word) ON THE GOOD GROUND ARE THEY, WHICH IN AN HONEST AND GOOD
HEART, HAVING HEARD THE WORD, KEEP IT, AND BRING FORTH FRUIT WITH PATIENCE.
The Scriptures are showing us, that only these few continue in the faith. All
the rest eventually fall. The Bible tells us, HE THAT SHALL ENDURE UNTO THE
END, THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED-Mt 24:13. Only this last group bears good fruit.
This fourth group heard the Word. Then, they obeyed it and kept it. They grounded
themselves in the Word, looking forward to that blessed hope which is soon to
come. They watched for Jesus, eagerly waiting. They did not live for this world,
but for the world to come. These "few" suffered persecutions for Jesus.
People mocked them and thought they were crazy. The world told these people,
"Live for Ďnow.í Enjoy yourself! Life is short." But this fourth group
did not listen. They followed Jesus. They would not follow a strangerís voice
(Satan and the people of this world). Many of these people lost their friends;
wives or husbands may have left them. They may have been fired from their jobs.
Some even died for the name of "Jesus." They were told not to teach
in the name of "Jesus." But no matter what happened, they held fast
to the Word which was in their hearts. Satan tempted them in nearly every way
possible. They were tempted with the cares (worries) of this world, with the
lusts and pleasures of this life. They were tempted with riches. Indeed, they
faced many trials and temptations, but chose to stand on the Rock, and that
Rock is Jesus. They obeyed the Word. They followed Jesus, no matter what. Their
suffering was great. Then the great day comes when all are judged. Those that
fell back into the world will now pay for their disobedience to the Creator.
The price is hell for eternity. Nevertheless, the small fourth group, the "few"
that suffered for Jesus with a good and honest heart, their fruit ripened, and
bear fruit an hundredfold. These people will stand in the presence of the Savior,
as He may say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." They suffered
persecutions for a season to gain eternity in heaven. The others enjoyed sin
for a season, and gained eternity in hell. This is the choice God gives to you.

Would you
say, that these people were probably saved (as they believed), but later fell
away when they were tempted, thus losing their salvation? Or would you conclude
that they never had salvation to begin with?

16-THE
WILDERNESS MESSAGE, IN BRIEF

Before God will let you into heaven, He wants to see if you will follow "His
will" on this earth. The Bible tells us, IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN PHARAOH
HAD LET THE PEOPLE GO, THAT GOD LED THEM NOT THROUGH THE WAY OF THE LAND OF
THE PHILISTINES, ALTHOUGH THAT WAS NEAR; FOR GOD SAID, LEST PERADVENTURE THE
PEOPLE REPENT WHEN THEY SEE WAR, AND THEY RETURN TO EGYPT: BUT GOD LED THE PEOPLE
ABOUT, THROUGH THE WAY OF THE WILDERNESS OF THE RED SEA: AND THE CHILDREN OF
ISRAEL WENT UP HARNESSED OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT. AND THE LORD WENT BEFORE
THEM BY DAY IN A PILLAR OF A CLOUD, TO LEAD THEM THE WAY; AND BY NIGHT IN A
PILLAR OF FIRE, TO GIVE THEM LIGHT; TO GO BY DAY AND NIGHT-Ex 13:17,18,21. AND
THE LORD HARDENED THE HEART OF PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT, AND HE PURSUED AFTER THE
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WENT OUT WITH AN HIGH HAND. AND
WHEN PHARAOH DREW NIGH, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL LIFTED UP THEIR EYES, AND, BEHOLD,
THE EGYPTIANS MARCHED AFTER THEM; AND THEY WERE SORE AFRAID: AND THE CHILDREN
OF ISRAEL CRIED OUT UNTO THE LORD. AND THEY SAID UNTO MOSES, BECAUSE
THERE WERE NO GRAVES IN EGYPT, HAST THOU TAKEN US AWAY TO DIE IN THE WILDERNESS?
WHEREFORE HAST THOU DEALT THUS WITH US, TO CARRY US FORTH OUT OF EGYPT? IS NOT
THIS THE WORD THAT WE DID TELL THEE IN EGYPT, SAYING, LET US ALONE, THAT WE
MAY SERVE THE EGYPTIANS? FOR IT HAD BEEN BETTER FOR US TO SERVE THE EGYPTIANS,
THAN THAT WE SHOULD DIE IN THE WILDERNESS. AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE PEOPLE, FEAR
YE NOT, STAND STILL, AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD, WHICH HE WILL SHOW TO
YOU TODAY: FOR THE EGYPTIANS WHOM YE HAVE SEEN TODAY, YE SHALL SEE THEM AGAIN
NO MORE FOR EVER. THE LORD SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU, AND YE SHALL HOLD YOUR PEACE-Ex
14:8,10-14.AND MOSES STRETCHED OUT HIS
HAND OVER THE SEA; AND THE LORD CAUSED THE SEA TO GO BACK BY A STRONG EAST WIND
ALL THAT NIGHT, AND MADE THE SEA DRY LAND, AND THE WATERS WERE DIVIDED. AND
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WENT INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA UPON THE DRY GROUND: AND
THE WATERS WERE A WALL UNTO THEM ON THEIR RIGHT HAND, AND ON THEIR LEFT. AND
THE EGYPTIANS PURSUED, AND WENT IN AFTER THEM TO THE MIDST OF THE SEA, EVEN
ALL PHARAOHíS HORSES, HIS CHARIOTS, AND HIS HORSEMEN. AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT
IN THE MORNING WATCH THE LORD LOOKED UNTO THE HOST OF THE EGYPTIANS THROUGH
THE PILLAR OF FIRE AND OF THE CLOUD, AND TROUBLED THE HOST OF THE EGYPTIANS,
AND TOOK OFF THEIR CHARIOT WHEELS, THAT THEY DROVE THEM HEAVILY: SO THAT THE
EGYPTIANS SAID, LET US FLEE FROM THE FACE OF ISRAEL; FOR THE LORD FIGHTETH FOR
THEM AGAINST THE EGYPTIANS. AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, STRETCH OUT THINE
HAND OVER THE SEA, THAT THE WATERS MAY COME AGAIN UPON THE EGYPTIANS, UPON THEIR
CHARIOTS, AND UPON THEIR HORSEMEN. AND MOSES STRETCHED FORTH HIS HAND OVER THE
SEA, AND THE SEA RETURNED TO HIS STRENGTH WHEN THE MORNING APPEARED; AND THE
EGYPTIANS FLED AGAINST IT; AND THE LORD OVERTHREW THE EGYPTIANS IN THE MIDST
OF THE SEA. AND THE WATERS RETURNED, AND COVERED THE CHARIOTS, AND THE HORSEMEN,
AND ALL THE HOST OF PHARAOH THAT CAME INTO THE SEA AFTER THEM; THERE REMAINED
NOT SO MUCH AS ONE OF THEM. AND ISRAEL SAW THAT GREAT WORK WHICH THE LORD DID
UPON THE EGYPTIANS: AND THE PEOPLE FEARED THE LORD, AND BELIEVED THE LORD, AND
HIS SERVANT MOSES-Ex 14:21-28,31.Note, as in the parable of
the sower, the people believed. The Bible also tells us they were baptized by
going into the sea and coming out. MOREOVER, BRETHREN, I WOULD NOT THAT YE SHOULD
BE IGNORANT, HOW THAT ALL OUR FATHERS WERE UNDER THE CLOUD, AND ALL PASSED THROUGH
THE SEA; AND WERE ALL BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES IN THE CLOUD AND IN THE SEA-1 Cor
10:1,2. BY FAITH THEY PASSED THROUGH THE RED SEA AS BY DRY LAND-Heb 11:29. We
note that they believed, had faith, and were baptized. Now, testing and temptations
will begin to see if they will follow God or fall away into disobedience.

The
Scripture says that the LORD IS A MAN OF WAR: THE LORD IS HIS NAME-Ex 15:3.
SO MOSES BROUGHT ISRAEL FROM THE RED SEA, AND THEY WENT OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS
OF SHUR; AND THEY WENT THREE DAYS IN THE WILDERNESS, AND FOUND NO WATER. AND
WHEN THEY CAME TO MARAH, THEY COULD NOT DRINK OF THE WATERS OF MARAH, FOR THEY
WERE BITTER: THEREFORE THE NAME OF IT WAS CALLED MARAH. AND THE PEOPLE MURMURED
AGAINST MOSES, SAYING, WHAT SHALL WE DRINK? AND HE CRIED UNTO THE LORD; AND
THE LORD SHOWED HIM A TREE, WHICH WHEN HE HAD CAST INTO THE WATERS, THE WATERS
WERE MADE SWEET: THERE HE MADE FOR THEM A STATUTE AND AN ORDINANCE, AND THERE
HE PROVED THEM, AND SAID, IF THOU WILT DILIGENTLY HEARKEN TO THE VOICE OF THE
LORD THY GOD, AND WILT DO THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN HIS SIGHT, AND WILT GIVE EAR
TO HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND KEEP ALL HIS STATUTES, I WILL PUT NONE OF THESE DISEASES
UPON THEE, WHICH I HAVE BROUGHT UPON THE EGYPTIANS: FOR I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH
THEE-Ex 15:22-26.AND THEY TOOK THEIR JOURNEY
FROM ELIM, ANDÖCAME UNTO THE WILDERNESS OF SIN...ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE
SECOND MONTH AFTER THEIR DEPARTING OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT. AND THE WHOLE CONGREGATION
OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL MURMURED AGAINST MOSES AND AARON IN THE WILDERNESS:
AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SAID UNTO THEM, WOULD TO GOD WE HAD DIED BY THE HAND
OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, WHEN WE SAT BY THE FLESH POTS, AND WHEN WE
DID EAT BREAD TO THE FULL; FOR YE HAVE BROUGHT US FORTH INTO THIS WILDERNESS,
TO KILL THIS WHOLE ASSEMBLY WITH HUNGER. THEN SAID THE LORD UNTO MOSES, BEHOLD,
I WILL RAIN BREAD FROM HEAVEN FOR YOU; AND THE PEOPLE SHALL GO OUT AND GATHER
A CERTAIN RATE EVERY DAY, THAT I MAY PROVE THEM (I will see if they will
follow my instructions), WHETHER THEY WILL WALK IN MY LAW, OR NO. This verse
explains why you undergo testing, hardships, and trials. If you will not walk
in Godís law now (obey the Gospel), then you will never enter heaven. If you
will not obey God now, you probably would not obey God when you are in heaven.
After all, Satan and his angels refused to obey God. You see, our time here
on earth is a time of testing for each of us. Who will you obey? God will find
out. Will you obey God or Satan? By not obeying God, you are obeying Satan.
You will spend eternity with the one whom you now choose to follow. If you are
reading this now, when the judgment comes, you cannot say you did not.

AND
IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT ON THE SIXTH DAY THEY SHALL PREPARE THAT WHICH THEY
BRING IN; AND IT SHALL BE TWICE AS MUCH AS THEY GATHER DAILY. AND MOSES AND
AARON SAID UNTO ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AT EVEN, THEN YE SHALL KNOW THAT
THE LORD HATH BROUGHT YOU OUT FROM THE LAND OF EGYPT: AND IN THE MORNING, THEN
YE SHALL SEE THE GLORY OF THE LORD; FOR THAT HE HEARETH YOUR MURMURINGSAGAINST THE LORD: AND WHAT ARE WE, THAT YE MURMUR AGAINST US?
AND MOSES SAID, THIS SHALL BE, WHEN THE LORD SHALL GIVE YOU IN THE EVENING FLESH
TO EAT, AND IN THE MORNING BREAD TO THE FULL; FOR THAT THE LORD HEARETH YOUR
MURMURINGS WHICH YE MURMUR AGAINST HIM: AND WHAT ARE WE? YOUR
MURMURINGS ARE NOT AGAINST US, BUT AGAINST THE LORD-Ex 16:1-8. AND IT
CAME TO PASS, AS AARON SPAKE UNTO THE WHOLE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF
ISRAEL, THAT THEY LOOKED TOWARD THE WILDERNESS, AND, BEHOLD, THE GLORY OF THE
LORD APPEARED IN THE CLOUD. AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING, I HAVE HEARD
THE MURMURINGS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: SPEAK UNTO THEM, SAYING, AT
EVEN YE SHALL EAT FLESH, AND IN THE MORNING YE SHALL BE FILLED WITH BREAD; AND
YE SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD. AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT AT EVEN
THE QUAILS CAME UP, AND COVERED THE CAMP: AND IN THE MORNING THE DEW LAY ROUND
ABOUT THE HOST. AND WHEN THE DEW THAT LAY WAS GONE UP, BEHOLD, UPON THE FACE
OF THE WILDERNESS THERE LAY A SMALL ROUND THING, AS SMALL AS THE HOAR FROST
ON THE GROUND. AND WHEN THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SAW IT, THEY SAID ONE TO ANOTHER,
IT IS MANNA; FOR THEY WIST NOT WHAT IT WAS. AND MOSES SAID UNTO THEM, THIS IS
THE BREAD WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN YOU TO EAT. THIS IS THE THING WHICH THE
LORD HATH COMMANDED, GATHER OF IT EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS EATING, AN OMER
FOR EVERY MAN, ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF YOUR PERSONS; TAKE YE EVERY MAN FOR
THEM WHICH ARE IN HIS TENTS. AND MOSES SAID, LET NO MAN LEAVE OF IT TILL THE
MORNING.NOTWITHSTANDING THEY HEARKENED
NOT UNTO MOSES; BUT SOME OF THEM LEFT OF IT UNTIL THE MORNING, AND IT BRED
WORMS, AND STANK: AND MOSES WAS WROTH WITH THEM. AND IT CAME TO PASS,
THAT ON THE SIXTH DAY THEY GATHERED TWICE AS MUCH BREAD, TWO OMERS FOR ONE MAN:
AND ALL THE RULERS OF THE CONGREGATION CAME AND TOLD MOSES. AND HE SAID UNTO
THEM, THIS IS THAT WHICH THE LORD HATH SAID, TOMORROW IS THE REST OF THE HOLY
SABBATH UNTO THE LORD: BAKE THAT WHICH YE WILL BAKE TODAY, AND SEETHE THAT YE
WILL SEETHE; AND THAT WHICH REMAINETH OVER LAY UP FOR YOU TO BE KEPT UNTIL THE
MORNING. AND THEY LAID IT UP TILL THE MORNING, AS MOSES BADE: AND IT DID NOT
STINK, NEITHER WAS THERE ANY WORM THEREIN. AND MOSES SAID, EAT THAT TODAY; FOR
TODAY IS A SABBATH UNTO THE LORD: TODAY YE SHALL NOT FIND IT IN THE FIELD. SIX
DAYS YE SHALL GATHER IT; BUT ON THE SEVENTH DAY, WHICH IS THE SABBATH, IN IT
THERE SHALL BE NONE. AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT THERE WENT OUT SOME OF THE
PEOPLE ON THE SEVENTH DAY FOR TO GATHER, AND THEY FOUND NONE. AND THE LORD
SAID UNTO MOSES, HOW LONG REFUSE YE TO KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS AND MY LAWS?-Ex
16:10-16,19,20,22-28.You are being asked by the
Lord the same thing. How long will you refuse to keep the commandments of the
Bible? Jesus said, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS-Jn 14:15. By this Gospel
you are saved. If you refuse to obey Godís Word, you will surely perish in eternal
fire. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE-Pv 1:7.

MANNAÖIT
WAS LIKE CORIANDER SEED, WHITE; AND THE TASTE OF IT WAS LIKE WAFERS MADE WITH
HONEY-Ex 16:31.AND ALL THE CONGREGATION OF
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL JOURNEYED FROM THE WILDERNESS OF SINÖAND PITCHED IN REPHIDIM:
AND THERE WAS NO WATER FOR THE PEOPLE TO DRINK. WHEREFORE THE PEOPLE DID
CHIDE (quarreled) WITH MOSES, AND SAID, GIVE US WATER THAT WE MAY DRINK.
AND MOSES SAID UNTO THEM, WHY CHIDE YE WITH ME? WHEREFORE DO YE TEMPT THE
LORD? AND THE PEOPLE THIRSTED THERE FOR WATER; AND THE PEOPLE MURMURED
AGAINST MOSES, AND SAID, WHEREFORE IS THIS THAT THOU HAST BROUGHT US UP
OUT OF EGYPT, TO KILL US AND OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CATTLE WITH THIRST? AND MOSES
CRIED UNTO THE LORD, SAYING, WHAT SHALL I DO UNTO THIS PEOPLE? THEY BE ALMOST
READY TO STONE ME. Even after the Lord had done great miracles for the children
of Israel, still they murmured against Him. They had little faith. Is this you?
AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, GO ON BEFORE THE PEOPLE, AND TAKE WITH THEE OF
THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL; AND THY ROD, WHEREWITH THOU SMOTEST THE RIVER, TAKE IN
THINE HAND, AND GO.BEHOLD, I WILL STAND BEFORE
THEE THERE UPON THE ROCK IN HOREB; AND THOU SHALT SMITE THE ROCK, AND THERE
SHALL COME WATER OUT OF IT, THAT THE PEOPLE MAY DRINK. AND MOSES DID SO IN THE
SIGHT OF THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL. AND HE CALLED THE NAME OF THE PLACE MASSAH, AND
MERIBAH, BECAUSE OF THE CHIDING OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND BECAUSE
THEY TEMPTED THE LORD, SAYING, IS THE LORD AMONG US, OR NOT?-Ex 17:1-7.
How often do we do this same thing, when situations seem to be going badly?
Do you say, "Is the Lord with me?" and tempt the Lord?

AND
MOSES SAID UNTO THE PEOPLE, FEAR NOT: FOR GOD IS COME TO PROVE YOU (test
you), AND THAT HIS FEAR MAY BE BEFORE YOUR FACES, THAT YE SIN NOT-Ex
20:20. AND MOSES WENT INTO THE MIDST OF THE CLOUD, AND GAT HIM UP INTO THE MOUNT:
AND MOSES WAS IN THE MOUNT FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS-Ex 24:18. AND WHEN THE
PEOPLE SAW THAT MOSES DELAYED TO COME DOWN OUT OF THE MOUNT, THE PEOPLE GATHERED
THEMSELVES TOGETHER UNTO AARON, AND SAID UNTO HIM, UP, MAKE US GODS, WHICH SHALL
GO BEFORE US; FOR AS FOR THIS MOSES, THE MAN THAT BROUGHT US UP OUT OF THE LAND
OF EGYPT, WE WOT (know) NOT WHAT IS BECOME OF HIM. AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES,
GO, GET THEE DOWN; FOR THY PEOPLE, WHICH THOU BROUGHTEST OUT OF THE LAND
OF EGYPT, HAVE CORRUPTED THEMSELVES: THEY HAVE TURNED ASIDE QUICKLY
OUT OF THE WAY WHICH I COMMANDED THEM: THEY HAVE MADE THEM A MOLTEN CALF,
AND HAVE WORSHIPPED IT, AND HAVE SACRIFICED THEREUNTO, AND SAID, THESE BE THY
GODS, O ISRAEL, WHICH HAVE BROUGHT THEE UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT. AND THE
LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, I HAVE SEEN THIS PEOPLE, AND, BEHOLD, IT IS A STIFFNECKED
PEOPLE: AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS SOON AS HE CAME NIGH UNTO THE CAMP, THAT
HE SAW THE CALF, AND THE DANCING: AND MOSESí ANGER WAXED HOT, AND HE CAST THE
TABLES OUT OF HIS HANDS, AND BRAKE THEM BENEATH THE MOUNT. AND HE TOOK THE CALF
WHICH THEY HAD MADE, AND BURNT IT IN THE FIRE, AND GROUND IT TO POWDER, AND
STRAWED IT (scattered it) UPON THE WATER, AND MADE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DRINK
OF IT. AND MOSES SAID UNTO AARON, WHAT DID THIS PEOPLE UNTO THEE, THAT THOU
HAST BROUGHT SO GREAT A SIN UPON THEM? AND AARON SAID, LET NOT THE ANGER OF
MY LORD WAX HOT: THOU KNOWEST THE PEOPLE, THAT THEY ARE SET ON MISCHIEF-Ex 32:1,7-9,19-22.You that are reading or hearing
this message, are you the same way? Are you set on mischief rather than obeying
God? AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE MORROW, THAT MOSES SAID UNTO THE PEOPLE, YE
HAVE SINNED A GREAT SIN: AND NOW I WILL GO UP UNTO THE LORD; PERADVENTURE I
SHALL MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR YOUR SIN. AND MOSES RETURNED UNTO THE LORD, AND
SAID, OH, THIS PEOPLE HAVE SINNED A GREAT SIN, AND HAVE MADE THEM GODS OF GOLD.
YET NOW, IF THOU WILT FORGIVE THEIR SINó AND IF NOT, BLOT ME, I PRAY THEE, OUT
OF THY BOOK WHICH THOU HAST WRITTEN. AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, WHOSOEVER
HATH SINNED AGAINST ME, HIM WILL I BLOT OUT OF MY BOOK. THEREFORE NOW GO, LEAD
THE PEOPLE UNTO THE PLACE OF WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO THEE: BEHOLD, MINE ANGEL
SHALL GO BEFORE THEE: NEVERTHELESS IN THE DAY WHEN I VISIT I WILL VISIT THEIR
SIN UPON THEM-Ex 32: 30-34.

*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

17-WHY
GOD ALLOWS TRIALS AND TESTING: PERSECUTIONS WE MAY GO THROUGH

Many ministers these days preach that we just need to accept Jesus as our Savior
and everything will be fine. In reality, when we receive Jesus as our Lord and
follow the Scriptures in obedience, our problems are just beginning; HOWEVER,
we have the assurance of knowing that He will be with us. But why does God allow
these things to happen to us? Listen to God, as He speaks to you through His
Word.As the children of Israel wandered
in the wilderness, it is written, YOUR CLOTHES DID NOT WEAR OUT AND YOUR FEET
DID NOT SWELL DURING THESE FORTY YEARS-Deut 8:4 NIV. THOU SHALT ALSO CONSIDER
IN THINE HEART, THAT, AS A MAN CHASTENETH HIS SON, SO THE LORD THY GOD CHASTENETH
THEE-Deut 8:5.Those who love God and obey
the Gospel are told, MARVEL NOT, MY BRETHREN, IF THE WORLD HATE YOU-1 Jn 3:13.
WE MUST GO THROUGH MANY HARDSHIPS TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD-Acts 14:22
NIV. ENDURE HARDNESS (hardship), AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST-2 Tim 2:3.
REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST, RAISED FROM THE DEAD, DESCENDED FROM DAVID. THIS IS MY
GOSPEL, FOR WHICH I AM SUFFERING EVEN TO THE POINT OF BEING CHAINED LIKE A CRIMINAL.
BUT GODíS WORD IS NOT CHAINED-2 Tim 2:8 NIV.IF WE SUFFER, WE SHALL ALSO
REIGN WITH HIM: IF WE DENY HIM, HE ALSO WILL DENY US-2 Tim 2:12. YEA, AND ALL
THAT WILL LIVE GODLY IN CHRIST JESUS SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION-2 Tim 3:12. FOR
UNTO YOU IT IS GIVEN IN THE BEHALF OF CHRIST, NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE ON HIM, BUT
ALSO TO SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE-Phili 1:29. MY SON, DO NOT MAKE LIGHT OF
THE LORDíS DISCIPLINE, AND DO NOT LOSE HEART WHEN HE REBUKES YOU, BECAUSE THE
LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES, AND HE PUNISHES EVERYONE HE ACCEPTS AS A SON.
ENDURE HARDSHIP AS DISCIPLINE; GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS. FOR WHAT SON IS
NOT DISCIPLINED BY HIS FATHER?-Heb 12:5-7 NIV. OUR FATHERS DISCIPLINED US FOR
A LITTLE WHILE AS THEY THOUGHT BEST; BUT GOD DISCIPLINES US FOR OUR GOOD, THAT
WE MAY SHARE IN HIS HOLINESS. NO DISCIPLINE SEEMS PLEASANT AT THE TIME, BUT
PAINFUL. LATER ON, HOWEVER, IT PRODUCES A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY IT-Heb 12:10-11 NIV.

As
the parable of the sower explained, through temptations, cares, pleasures, riches,
and lusts, many will fall away. God will lovingly discipline them that they
might share in His holiness. However, the faith of some will not be sufficient
to endure the many hardships that will come on them. They will fall back into
disobedience and away from serving the Lord. So it will be during the Tribulation.
When it comes time to take the mark of the beast or be beheaded, most will give
in and take the mark. This will condemn them to eternal damnation. Jesus tells
us, AS MANY AS I LOVE, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN-Rev 3:19.Which do you choose, to suffer
for Jesus or enjoy the pleasures of sin? What did Moses do? He chose RATHER
TO SUFFER AFFLICTION WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD, THAN TO ENJOY THE PLEASURES OF
SIN FOR A SEASON-Heb 11:25.It is also written, MY BRETHREN,
COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YE FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS; KNOWING THIS, THAT THE
TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE-Ja 1:2,3. BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE
CONCERNING THE FIERY TRIAL WHICH IS TO TRY YOU, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING
HAPPENED UNTO YOU: BUT REJOICE, INASMUCH AS YE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRISTíS SUFFERINGS;
THAT, WHEN HIS GLORY SHALL BE REVEALED, YE MAY BE GLAD ALSO WITH EXCEEDING JOY-1
Pe 4:12,13. YET IF ANY MAN SUFFER AS A CHRISTIAN, LET HIM NOT BE ASHAMED; BUT
LET HIM GLORIFY GOD ON THIS BEHALF. FOR THE TIME IS COME THAT JUDGMENT MUST
BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD: AND IF IT FIRST BEGIN AT US, WHAT SHALL THE END BE
OF THEM THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF GOD?-1 Pe 4:16,17. IN THIS YOU GREATLY REJOICE,
THOUGH NOW FOR A LITTLE WHILE YOU MAY HAVE HAD TO SUFFER GRIEF IN ALL KINDS
OF TRIALS. THESE HAVE COME SO THAT YOUR FAITHóOF GREATER WORTH
THAN GOLD, WHICH PERISHES EVEN THOUGH REFINED BY FIREóMAY BE PROVED GENUINE
AND MAY RESULT IN PRAISE, GLORY AND HONOR WHEN JESUS CHRIST IS REVEALED-1 Pe
1:6,7 NIV. Did you hear that? Temptations and trials come to prove your
faith genuine.

Many
people say they believe in Jesus, but when the trials come, they fall away.
A personís faith may prompt him to serve Jesus in obedience to the Gospel, but
as that person is serving the Lord, persecutions come on him. Finally, the person
eases off working for Jesus and goes back to hearing the Word only. Their faith
was not genuine. It was shallow. Real faith will stand any test. God forbid,
that it should happen, but consider: What if someone put a gun to the head of
your wife, husband, or parents, and said, "I am going to pull the trigger
unless you forsake working for Jesus"? What would you do? Would you give
in to this demand and forsake your calling? True faith will not give in. True
faith will obey the Gospel. Faith without works is dead. It is by faith that
you are saved. It is by faith that you stand firm. It is through works that
your faith is made perfect.Jesus wants us to know THESE
THINGS, SO THAT IN ME (Jesus) YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE
TROUBLE. BUT TAKE HEART! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD-Jn 16:33 NIV.AND WHEN THEY HAD CALLED THE
APOSTLES, AND BEATEN THEM, THEY COMMANDED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SPEAK IN THE
NAME OF JESUS, AND LET THEM GO. AND THEY DEPARTED FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE COUNCIL,
REJOICING THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER SHAME FOR HIS NAME. Would
you continue preaching, if you had just been beaten and commanded to stop? AND
DAILY IN THE TEMPLE, AND IN EVERY HOUSE, THEY CEASED NOT TO TEACH AND PREACH
JESUS CHRIST-Acts 5:40-42.BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE
PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESSí SAKE: FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. BLESSED
ARE YE, WHEN MEN SHALL REVILE YOU (insult you), AND PERSECUTE YOU, AND SHALL
SAY ALL MANNER OF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY, FOR MY SAKE. REJOICE, AND BE EXCEEDING
GLAD: FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN: FOR SO PERSECUTED THEY THE PROPHETS
WHICH WERE BEFORE YOU-Mt 5:10-12. AS IT IS WRITTEN, FOR THY SAKE WE ARE KILLED
ALL THE DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER-Ro 8:36.IF THE WORLD HATE YOU, YE KNOW
THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE IT HATED YOU-Jn 15:18. IF THEY HAVE PERSECUTED ME, THEY
WILL ALSO PERSECUTE YOU-Jn 15:20. WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT JOY COMETH
IN THE MORNING-Ps 30:5.It is written, REMEMBER THOSE
EARLIER DAYS AFTER YOU HAD RECEIVED THE LIGHT (received Jesus), WHEN YOU STOOD
YOUR GROUND IN A GREAT CONTEST IN THE FACE OF SUFFERING. SOMETIMES YOU WERE
PUBLICLY EXPOSED TO INSULT AND PERSECUTION; AT OTHER TIMES YOU STOOD SIDE BY
SIDE WITH THOSE WHO WERE SO TREATED. YOU SYMPATHIZED WITH THOSE IN PRISON AND
JOYFULLY ACCEPTED THE CONFISCATION OF YOUR PROPERTY, BECAUSE YOU KNEW THAT YOU
YOURSELVES HAD BETTER AND LASTING POSSESSIONS-Heb 10:32-34 NIV. TO THIS VERY
HOUR WE GO HUNGRY AND THIRSTY, WE ARE IN RAGS, WE ARE BRUTALLY TREATED, WE ARE
HOMELESS. WE WORK HARD WITH OUR OWN HANDS. WHEN WE ARE CURSED, WE BLESS; WHEN
WE ARE PERSECUTED, WE ENDURE IT; WHEN WE ARE SLANDERED, WE ANSWER KINDLY-1 Cor
4:11-13 NIV. WE ARE HARD PRESSED ON EVERY SIDE, BUT NOT CRUSHED; PERPLEXED,
BUT NOT IN DESPAIR; PERSECUTED, BUT NOT ABANDONED; STRUCK DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED.
WE ALWAYS CARRY AROUND IN OUR BODY THE DEATH OF JESUS, SO THAT THE LIFE OF JESUS
MAY ALSO BE REVEALED IN OUR BODY. FOR WE WHO ARE ALIVE ARE ALWAYS BEING GIVEN
OVER TO DEATH FOR JESUSí SAKE, SO THAT HIS LIFE MAY BE REVEALED IN OUR MORTAL
BODY-2 Cor 4:8-11 NIV.Indeed, the Bible tells us
what a real servant of God is. How many of you would be willing to become a
"real servant of God"? Listen, as Paul speaks. RATHER, AS SERVANTS
OF GOD, WE COMMEND OURSELVES IN EVERY WAY: IN GREAT ENDURANCE; IN TROUBLES,
HARDSHIPS AND DISTRESSES; IN BEATINGS, IMPRISONMENTS AND RIOTS; IN HARD WORK,
SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AND HUNGER; IN PURITY, UNDERSTANDING, PATIENCE AND KINDNESS;
IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IN SINCERE LOVE; IN TRUTHFUL SPEECH AND IN THE POWER
OF GOD; WITH WEAPONS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE RIGHT HAND AND IN THE LEFT; THROUGH
GLORY AND DISHONOR, BAD REPORT AND GOOD REPORT; GENUINE, YET REGARDED AS IMPOSTORS;
KNOWN, YET REGARDED AS UNKNOWN; DYING, AND YET WE LIVE ON; BEATEN, AND YET NOT
KILLED; SORROWFUL, YET ALWAYS REJOICING; POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH; HAVING
NOTHING, AND YET POSSESSING EVERYTHING-2 Cor 6:4-10 NIV.

Are
you a real servant of God? ARE THEY MINISTERS OF CHRIST? (I SPEAK AS A FOOL)
I AM MORE; IN LABOURS MORE ABUNDANT, IN STRIPES ABOVE MEASURE, IN PRISONS MORE
FREQUENT, IN DEATHS OFT (again and again). OF THE JEWS FIVE TIMES RECEIVED I
FORTY STRIPES SAVE ONE. THRICE WAS I BEATEN WITH RODS, ONCE WAS I STONED, THRICE
I SUFFERED SHIPWRECK, A NIGHT AND A DAY I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEEP (open sea);
IN JOURNEYINGS OFTEN, IN PERILS OF WATERS, IN PERILS OF ROBBERS, IN PERILS BY
MINE OWN COUNTRYMEN, IN PERILS BY THE HEATHEN, IN PERILS IN THE CITY, IN PERILS
IN THE WILDERNESS, IN PERILS IN THE SEA, IN PERILS AMONG FALSE BRETHREN-2 Cor
11:23-26. AND LEST I SHOULD BE EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE THROUGH THE ABUNDANCE OF
THE REVELATIONS, THERE WAS GIVEN TO ME A THORN IN THE FLESH, THE MESSENGER OF
SATAN TO BUFFET ME, LEST I SHOULD BE EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE. FOR THIS THING I
BESOUGHT THE LORD THRICE, THAT IT MIGHT DEPART FROM ME. AND HE SAID UNTO ME,
MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE: FOR MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESSÖ.THEREFORE
I TAKE PLEASURE IN INFIRMITIES, IN REPROACHES, IN NECESSITIES, IN PERSECUTIONS,
IN DISTRESSES FOR CHRISTíS SAKE: FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG-2 Cor
12:7-10. FOR I RECKON THAT THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORTHY
TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US-Ro 8:18.The sufferings we endure for
Jesus, no matter how bad, are not worthy to be compared with the glory that
shall be revealed. THEREFORE, AMONG GODíS CHURCHES WE BOAST ABOUT YOUR PERSEVERANCE
AND FAITH IN ALL THE PERSECUTIONS AND TRIALS YOU ARE ENDURING-2 Thes 1:4 NIV.
WHEN THEY HURLED THEIR INSULTS AT HIM (Jesus), HE DID NOT RETALIATE; WHEN HE
SUFFERED, HE MADE NO THREATS. INSTEAD, HE ENTRUSTED HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES
JUSTLY-1 Pe 2:23 NIV. FOR IN THAT HE HIMSELF HATH SUFFERED BEING TEMPTED, HE
IS ABLE TO SUCCOUR THEM (come to the aid of them) THAT ARE TEMPTED-Heb 2:18.
AND THE GOD OF ALL GRACE, WHO CALLED YOU TO HIS ETERNAL GLORY IN CHRIST, AFTER
YOU HAVE SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE (note-after you have suffered a little while),
WILL HIMSELF RESTORE YOU AND MAKE YOU STRONG, FIRM AND STEADFAST-1 Pe 5:10 NIV.
AND THE LORD SHALL DELIVER ME FROM EVERY EVIL WORK, AND WILL PRESERVE ME UNTO
HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM-2 Tim 4:18. WHEREFORE LET HIM THAT THINKETH HE STANDETH
TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL. THERE HATH NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU BUT SUCH AS IS COMMON
TO MAN: BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED ABOVE THAT
YE ARE ABLE; BUT WILL WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY TO ESCAPE, THAT YE
MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT-1 Cor 10:12,13. AND YE SHALL BE HATED OF ALL MEN FOR
MY NAMEíS SAKE: BUT HE THAT ENDURETH TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED-Mt 10:22. BLESSED
IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION: FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE
THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM-Ja 1:12.

What
do we say, when a person receives Jesus as their Savior, then follows in obedience
to scriptural baptism and appears to be serving the Lord? If he falls away under
the temptations and trials that come upon him, was he truly saved? Did he lose
his salvation? Did he ever have salvation in the first place (as he did not
continue steadfast till the end)?

So,
what is this faith by which we hold firm till the end? The Scriptures tell us,
NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN-Heb
11:1.

18-SEVEN
BROTHERS WITH THEIR MOTHER

It happened, that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork,
in violation of Godís law. One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said,
"What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? We are ready to die,
rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors." At that, the king in
a fury, gave orders to have pans and caldrons heated. While they were being
quickly heated, he commanded his executioners to cut off the hands and feet
of the one that spoke, while his mother and brothers looked on. When he was
completely maimed but still breathing, the king ordered them to carry him to
the fire and fry him. As a cloud of smoke spread from the pan, the brothers
and their mother encouraged one another to die bravely, saying such words as
these, "The Lord God is looking on, and He truly has compassion on us.
As Moses declared in his canticle (song), when he protested openly with the
words, ĎAnd He will have pity on His servants.í"When the first brother died
in this manner, they brought the second to be made sport of. After tearing off
the skin and hair of his head, they asked him, "Will you eat the pork,
rather than have your body tortured limb by limb?" Answering in the language
of his forefathers, he said, "Never!" So he too, suffered the same
torture as the first. At the point of death, he said, "You are depriving
us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live
again forever. It is for His laws that we are dying."After him, the third suffered
their cruel sport. He put out his tongue at once, when they told him to do so,
and bravely held out his hands. He spoke these noble words. "It was from
heaven that I received these, for the sake of His laws I disdain them. From
Him, I hope to receive them again." Even the king and his attendants marveled
at the young manís courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing. After
he died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. When
he was near death, he said, "It is my choice to die at the hands of men,
with the God given hope of being restored to life by Him; but for you, there
will be no resurrection to life." Next, they brought forward the fifth
brother and maltreated him. After him, they brought the sixth brother.Most admirable and worthy of
everlasting remembrance was the mother. She saw her seven sons perish in a single
day, yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord. Do you have that
kind of faith? Very soon, the Tribulation will be upon all the unbelievers and
those with lukewarm faith. Are you ready, if Jesus returned right now? Are you
really saved?

19-THREE
POSITIONS ON LOSING SALVATION

As we mentioned earlier, there seem to be three positions which are being taught
among various denominations, regarding losing salvation. The
first position teaches that once you say a sinnerís prayer,
you are eternally saved. You can do anything you wish. No matter what sin you
commit, you will go to heaven. Just say a prayer, and everything will be all
right. We have seen very clearly in the previous pages that this is not true.
Being saved involves believing with thine heart, confessing Jesus publicly,
and following the Gospel in obedience. This includes water baptism by immersion
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost after a person
believes and repents. We are careful to point out, that we are saved by grace
through faith. Also, that grace comes from "faith in Jesus Christ,"
the only begotten Son of God. However, with that faith, goes an obligation of
obedience. As it is written, IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS-Jn 14:15.
If a person believes, does that mean he will also be obedient? The answer is
not always. That may surprise you. The Bible tells us, MANY BELIEVED
ON HIM; BUT BECAUSE OF (or for fear of) THE PHARISEES THEY DID NOT CONFESS HIM,
LEST THEY SHOULD BE PUT OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE: FOR THEY LOVED THE PRAISE OF MEN
MORE THAN THE PRAISE OF GOD-Jn 12:42,43. Therefore, the Bible does not support
this position.Jesus paid the price of "grace,"
totally and completely, when He died on the cross for our sins and rose again
from the dead. However, for a person to receive God's "grace" by only
believing or saying a prayer is not sufficient, if that is as far as
it goes.In the previous pages, we have
examined how to be saved and how to determine by Godís Word whether or not you
really are "saved." We have also seen that true believers that are
working for Jesus will be persecuted. It is written, ALL THAT WILL LIVE GODLY
IN CHRIST JESUS, SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION-2 Tim 3:12. Godís Word leaves no room
for exceptions. Through persecutions, your faith will be tried to see if it
is genuine. Some will fall by the wayside, as the parable of the sower explained.
Despite persecutions, temptations, and trials, some will mature and produce
fruit.

The
second position presents the question, were these people
ever saved? This line of thought maintains that once you are saved, you can
never lose your salvation.However, salvation is not as
easy as simply saying a prayer. A person must come by faith in Jesus Christ
and with repentance. With the prayer, goes a commitment of obedience to Jesus
Christ. Even though the person said a prayer, if they do not continue steadfast
in the faith, then it was never a true conversion. If the person goes back into
willful, intentional sin and rebellion against God and His Word, the person
was never truly born-again. If a person's fruits do not bear witness, then they
were never born-again. There are many Scriptures to support this position, as
we hope to cover.However, some would say the
person was saved and he can never fall. Some would also say that a person in
this church age cannot ever commit the unforgivable sin and that they can even
turn from trusting God and commit suicide and still go to heaven.

The
third position teaches that you can be saved by faith, but if you
stray and go back into willful, intentional sin and rebellion against God and
His Word, and do not repent, you can lose your salvation. It teaches that if
your faith fails for an extended period of time, you can fall and you will perish.
This third line of thought teaches that once you are saved, you can turn your
back on God and walk away from Him. If you walk too far, you can lose your salvation.

We might ask, how can both the second and third positions stand on Scripture?
Surely, one is correct, and one is wrong. If you have attended a certain church,
you generally believe the way the church teaches. If you have attended a theology
school, you usually graduate from that school convinced that the position they
teach is biblically correct.From this point on, it is nearly
impossible to ever change a person's mind. A preacher who has been taught the
doctrine that you cannot lose your salvation, will seldom ever change his position.
A preacher grounded in the position that you can lose your salvation, will rarely
ever change. If they change, they would have to admit that their church, or
preacher, or theology school was in error. How many are willing to do this?
Remember what the religious leaders did to Jesus when He told them they were
wrong? They crucified Him. Right now, if Jesus Christ Himself walked into many
churches and began teaching doctrine (the Bible), the preachers, priests, or
rabbi would most likely ask Him to leave. They might even try to have Him arrested.
They might think He was an impostor, as His doctrine might be different from
theirs. Most preachers, priests, and rabbi are so sure they are perfect in their
theology, that it is next to impossible to change them. Show them the Word,
and they may brush it aside, saying, "It doesnít really mean what it says,"
or "I don't see it that way," or "Thatís your interpretation."
A standard statement is, "You are taking Scripture out of context."

There
is only one way to find out what God teaches on a certain subject. That way
is to take every single verse in the Bible on a specific subject, put them together,
and God in His great mercy will give the answer. The Bible teaches to ask God
for wisdom-ref Ja 1:5, not another man. That is why the ministry which is sending
you these courses, and has spent many, many hours dividing the Bible up into
subjects. What does the Bible say on baptism? There are over 100 verses dealing
with this subject. What does the Bible say about the Rapture? There are over
150 verses on this subject. What does the Bible say about the latter days? There
about 3000 verses on this subject. What does the Bible say about losing salvation?
This should be answered further on in this book. We are not to follow a denominational
doctrine, but the whole counsel of God (the Bible). Each subject, we trust,
is presented with the Scriptures, and given in fear and trembling-ref Isa 66:2,5.
Godís Word tells us, to speak and do as they that shall be judged-ref Ja 2:12.
Knowing therefore THE TERROR OF THE LORD, WE PERSUADE MEN-2 Cor 5:11. We do
our best (as God leads) to address each topic with Scripture, not manís opinion.
Manís opinion is often wrong, but Godís Word is perfect. Which do you follow:
a denomination, a manís opinion, or Godís Word? The answer that your denomination,
your preacher, priest, or rabbi, only teaches the Bible may not be valid. How
can you make such a statement, unless you have spent a great deal of time in
humbleness before the Lord, searching the Scriptures "yourself," and
then asking what they believe? In addition, surveys have shown that many, even
the majority of preachers, do not completely believe everything in the Bible.
The blind lead the blind, and they both fall into the ditch-ref Mt 15:14.Others might be told, "Just
be confirmed, and you are saved. Just be loyal to a certain religion or denomination.
Donít worry; when judgment comes, all will be okay. At worst, you will only
go to purgatory." People follow these false doctrines. They do not understand,
until it is too late. They are cast into the lake of fire screaming "But
my priest, rabbi, or preacher told me all would be okay." They will have
eternity to think about the mistake of following incorrect, religious doctrine,
rather than Godís perfect Word.

There are many Scriptures which support this position. Regretfully, there are
many times when this doctrine is not told in its completeness. Often religious
leaders will tell their congregations, "Donít worry about a thing. You
are eternally saved." They seem to forget to tell them, they are eternally
saved (IF) they hold steadfast to the end the faith they had at the beginning.
Even though they themselves understand that repentance (turning from sin) is
part of being saved; they may fail to convey this to their congregation. They
attempt to build the faith of their people, by saying, "Once saved, always
saved." They forget that faith does not come from their words, but from
Godís exact Word. Faith does not come from our opinion of the Word; as
it is written, FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD-Ro
10:17. It is Godís Word that is a double-edged sword, not our well meaning
opinions. Often they forget to tell people that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD-Ja
2:20. And that BY WORKS FAITH (is) MADE PERFECT-Ja 2:22. Too many times, people
are misled into believing they are secure, and go right back into sin. Thus,
as we have already seen from the Scriptures, their faith did not prove to be
genuine. We, who are given a trust (that trust is the Word), must always be
careful to use it correctly, lest we put a stumbling block in a personís path
even though it was not intended.Let us now search the Scriptures
that seem to support the view that salvation cannot be lost. Jesus said, YE
HAVE NEITHER HEARD HIS VOICE AT ANY TIME, NOR SEEN HIS SHAPE (this would indicate
a person was never saved, not that he lost salvation) AND YE HAVE NOT HIS WORD
ABIDING IN YOU-Jn 5:37,38. They are not saved, as Godís Word is not "in"
them. Remember, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. It
is BY THIS GOSPEL YE ARE SAVED-1 Cor 15:2 NIV. If Godís Word does not abide
in you, you have never been saved.It is written, MANY WILL SAY
TO ME IN THAT DAY, LORD, LORD (saying they had accepted Jesus as their Saviour),
HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN THY NAME (this indicates that they had spiritual gifts,
perhaps prophesying and speaking in tongues)? AND IN THY NAME HAVE CAST OUT
DEVILS (could they be preachers or evangelists)? AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL
WORKS (this indicates those who trusted in works to save themselves, rather
than the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ)? These people are standing at the
judgment, and seem to believe they are saved. Perhaps their preacher told them,
"Once saved, always save," and "Donít worry about it." It
sounds as if they are trying to argue with their Creator. Perhaps they failed
to remember, we are called for obedience to Jesus. They believed, and received
Jesus as their Saviour; but He professes UNTO THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU (Jesus
never accepted them) DEPART FROM ME (why?), YE THAT WORK INIQUITY-Mt 7:22,23.
They had not followed the Scriptures in obedience. They had not given up all
willful sin in their life. They may have followed Jesus with their outward actions
and words, but, inwardly, they still lived in sin. They were not willing to
truly repent. Note, the Scripture says, I NEVER KNEW YOU. This would seem to
indicate that they did not have an intimate relationship with Jesus. They did
many wonderful works in Jesusí name, but they did not seem to delight in knowing
Him. Please take note of this Scripture, as we may refer to it again near the
end of the text.It is also written, THEY WENT
OUT FROM US, BUT THEY WERE NOT OF US: FOR IF THEY HAD BEEN OF US, THEY WOULD
NO DOUBT HAVE CONTINUED WITH US: BUT THEY WENT OUT, THAT THEY MIGHT BE MADE
MANIFEST THAT THEY WERE NOT ALL OF US-1 Jn 2:19. Again, we see an example of
people that appeared to be saved. THEY WENT OUT FROM US (but as Godís Word points
out), THEY WERE NOT OF US. These were pretending Christians. Many may have professed
Jesus. They may have even worked for Jesus. Yet, they did not continue steadfast
till the end. They were not saved. These people may have appeared to be saved,
but they were not truly saved, as the Scripture shows. FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL
UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED-Ro 10:13. How do we call on the name
of the Lord? Perhaps Ro 10:9-11; Acts 2:38; Ps 145:18; and Heb 5:9, can give
some of the answer to this question.

The
Scripture says, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE-Heb 13:5. One might
say, "See, that shows once we are saved, we can never lose salvation."NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE TO
KEEP YOU FROM FALLING, AND TO PRESENT YOU FAULTLESS BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF HIS
GLORY WITH EXCEEDING JOY-Jude 24. Again, because He is able to keep you from
falling, many believe this shows you cannot lose your salvation.The Bible tells us, NEVERTHELESS
THE FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDETH SURE, HAVING THIS SEAL, THE LORD KNOWETH THEM
THAT ARE HIS. AND, LET EVERY ONE THAT NAMETH THE NAME OF CHRIST DEPART FROM
INIQUITY-2 Tim 2:19. Because we are sealed, some say, we cannot lose salvation.The Bible shows that the saved
ARE KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH FAITH UNTO SALVATION READY
TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME-1 Pe 1:5. Some say, because we are kept by the
power of God, we can never lose salvation.FOR WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY,
OF HIS FLESH, AND OF HIS BONES-Eph 5:30. Some say, that because we are members
of His body, we cannot become "detached"; therefore, we are eternally
secure.FOR I AM PERSUADED, THAT NEITHER
DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT,
NOR THINGS TO COME, NOR HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE, SHALL BE
ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD-Ro
8:38,39. Some say that this teaches eternal security, and that there is nothing
that can cause us to fall.MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND
I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME: AND I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; AND THEY
SHALL NEVER PERISH, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND. MY FATHER,
WHICH GAVE THEM ME, IS GREATER THAN ALL; AND NO MAN IS ABLE TO PLUCK THEM OUT
OF MY FATHERíS HAND-Jn 10:27-29. Some would say, because no man can pluck them
out of the Father's hand, that a person can never fall from salvation.BUT NOW THUS SAITH THE LORD
THAT CREATED THEE, O JACOB, AND HE THAT FORMED THEE, O ISRAEL, FEAR NOT: FOR
I HAVE REDEEMED THEE, I HAVE CALLED THEE BY THY NAME; THOU ART MINE. WHEN THOU
PASSEST THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH THEE; AND THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY
SHALL NOT OVERFLOW THEE: WHEN THOU WALKEST THROUGH THE FIRE, THOU SHALT NOT
BE BURNED; NEITHER SHALL THE FLAME KINDLE UPON THEE-Isa 43:1,2. Some would say
that this proves we can never lose salvation.WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM
THE LOVE OF CHRIST? SHALL TRIBULATION, OR DISTRESS, OR PERSECUTION, OR FAMINE,
OR NAKEDNESS, OR PERIL, OR SWORD?-Ro 8:35. Some would say this teaches that
once we are saved, that it is impossible for us to be separated from Christ.AND THIS IS THE FATHERíS WILL
WHICH HATH SENT ME, THAT OF ALL WHICH HE HATH GIVEN ME I SHOULD LOSE NOTHING,
BUT SHOULD RAISE IT UP AGAIN AT THE LAST DAY. AND THIS IS THE WILL OF HIM THAT
SENT ME, THAT EVERY ONE WHICH SEETH THE SON, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM, "MAY"
HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE: AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY-Jn 6:39,40. Some
would say, this proves that a person can never fall once they are saved.AND GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT
OF GOD, WHEREBY YE ARE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION-Eph 4:30. Again, once
a person is sealed, some believe this proves a person can never be unsealed.(FOR HE SAITH, I HAVE HEARD
THEE IN A TIME ACCEPTED, AND IN THE DAY OF SALVATION HAVE I SUCCOURED THEE:
BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION)-2 Cor
6:2. Some would say this proves that once a person is saved, he can never fall.ELECT ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE
OF GOD THE FATHER, THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT, UNTO OBEDIENCE AND
SPRINKLING OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST-1 Pe 1:2. Some would say that every
person that gets saved is of the elect, and thus can never fall.ACCORDING AS HE HATH CHOSEN
US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, THAT WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT
BLAME BEFORE HIM IN LOVE: HAVING PREDESTINATED US UNTO THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN
BY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL-Eph 1:4,5.
Some would say that every person that becomes saved is one that has been chosen,
and thus he can never fall.

As
we study these Scriptures, it seems to appear that once a person is truly saved,
he is indeed kept by the power of God. His salvation is secure. It must be pointed
out, however, that being saved is not just saying a prayer. It involves a total
uncompromising commitment of love and obedience. Indeed, a very great error
is made by some, as we have covered in previous pages; thus, it bears mentioning
again. They say, all one has to do is to say the sinnerís prayer, and he is
eternally saved. He cannot lose his salvation. It is often the case, that he
is not really saved at all. This can lead a person into a false sense of security.
The person now believes he is saved, and can do whatever he wishes. Then, the
judgment comes. He may stand in front of his Creator, and say, "But my
preacher told me this or that." It is too late. He is cast into the lake
of fire that burns forever. Do not believe everything your preacher says. Believe
only Godís Word. It is by the Gospel that you are saved, not manís opinions.The Bible commands us to, SEARCH
THE SCRIPTURES FOR IN THEM YE THINK YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE-Jn 5:39. EXAMINE YOURSELVES,
WHETHER YE BE IN THE FAITH; PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES. KNOW YE NOT YOUR OWN SELVES,
HOW THAT JESUS CHRIST IS IN YOU, EXCEPT YE BE REPROBATES (fail the test)?-2
Cor 13:5.Let the Word of God be your
teacher. Let the Holy Spirit give you understanding. Ask the Lord to open your
understanding of His Word, instead of relying upon another personís opinion
or interpretation.

22-THE
THIRD POSITION IN DETAIL: SALVATION CAN BE LOST, A PERSON CAN FALL FROM GRACE

There is an abundance of Scripture to support this position also. The third
position teaches that you can be saved by faith (perhaps even winning souls
to Jesus), but if you stray and go back into willful, intentional sin and rebellion
against God and His Word, and do not repent, that you can lose your salvation.It teaches, that if your faith
fails for an extended period of time, you can fall and you will perish, because
we stand BY FAITH. This third line of thought teaches that once you are saved,
you can turn your back on God, and walk away from Him. If you walk too far,
you can lose your salvation.Generally, the people that
expound this position, also say that there is more to being saved than simply
saying a prayer, but not always. To be saved, it is written, REPENT. It is written,
Mark 16:16-HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH
NOT SHALL BE DAMNED.Let us examine the Scriptures
regarding this.

We
recall how the children of Israel were saved. They believed and were baptized;
yet they turned from God. They fell into unbelief and perished. They were A
GENERATION THAT SET NOT THEIR HEART ARIGHT, AND WHOSE SPIRIT WAS NOT STEADFAST
WITH GOD-Ps 78:8. We note, SPIRIT WAS NOT STEADFAST WITH GOD.In the parable of the ten virgins,
the oil represents the Holy Spirit. THE FOOLISH SAID UNTO THE WISE, GIVE US
OF YOUR OIL; FOR OUR LAMPS ARE GONE OUT-Mt 25:8. Does this mean that
the Holy Spirit has been quenched?For He said, SURELY THEY
ARE MY PEOPLE, CHILDREN THAT WILL NOT LIE: SO HE WAS THEIR SAVIOUR.
IN ALL THEIR AFFLICTION HE WAS AFFLICTED, AND THE ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE SAVED
THEM: IN HIS LOVE AND IN HIS PITY HE REDEEMED THEM; AND HE BARE THEM, AND CARRIED
THEM ALL THE DAYS OF OLD. BUT THEY REBELLED, AND VEXED HIS HOLY SPIRIT:
THEREFORE HE WAS TURNED TO BE THEIR ENEMY, AND HE FOUGHT AGAINST THEM-Isa
63:8-10. Note, it says, HE WAS THEIR SAVIOUR...HE REDEEMED THEM...BUT THEY REBELLED...HE
WAS TURNED TO BE THEIR ENEMY.

When
the people had sinned, Moses said to God, YET NOW, IF THOU WILT FORGIVE THEIR
SIN; AND IF NOT, BLOT ME, I PRAY THEE, OUT OF THY BOOK WHICH THOU HAST
WRITTEN. AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, WHOSOEVER HATH SINNED AGAINST ME, HIM
WILL I BLOT OUT OF MY BOOK-Ex 32:32,33. Most should agree, that if we are
saved, our name is written in the "book of life." But David said,
LET THEM BE BLOTTED OUT OF THE BOOK OF THE LIVING, AND NOT BE WRITTEN
WITH THE RIGHTEOUS-Ps 69:28. LET HIS POSTERITY BE CUT OFF; AND IN THE GENERATION
FOLLOWING LET THEIR NAME BE BLOTTED OUT. LET THE INIQUITY OF HIS FATHERS
BE REMEMBERED WITH THE LORD; AND LET NOT THE SIN OF HIS MOTHER BE BLOTTED OUT-Ps
109:13,14. If one could not lose salvation, how could their name be blotted
out?Samuel said to Saul, WHEREFORE
THEN DOST THOU ASK OF ME, SEEING THE LORD IS DEPARTED FROM THEE, AND
IS BECOME THINE ENEMY? BECAUSE THOU OBEYEDST NOT THE VOICE OF THE LORD-1 Sam
28:16,18. Saul did not obey the voice of the Lord, and the Lord departed from
him. Oh, how often it seems we forget the final commandment of Jesus to TEACH
ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEMÖANDÖTEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE (obey) ALL THINGS
WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU-Mt 28:19,20.

It
is written, THE LORD IS WITH YOU, WHILE YE BE WITH HIM; AND IF YE SEEK
HIM, HE WILL BE FOUND OF YOU; BUT IF YE FORSAKE HIM, HE WILL FORSAKE YOU-2
Chr 15:2.BUT IF YOU TURN AWAY AND
FORSAKE THE DECREES AND COMMANDS I HAVE GIVEN YOU AND GO OFF TO SERVE
OTHER GODS AND WORSHIP THEM, THEN I WILL UPROOT ISRAEL FROM MY LAND,
WHICH I HAVE GIVEN THEM-2 Chr 7:19,20 NIV. It said, IF YOU TURN AWAY.It is also written, KISS THE
SON, LEST HE BE ANGRY, AND YE PERISH FROM THE WAY, WHEN HIS WRATH IS
KINDLED BUT A LITTLE-Ps 2:12. We see the words of God, YE PERISH FROM THE WAY.
Could this mean, ye perish or fall from being saved?

23-THE
THIRD POSITION CONTINUES

Jesus said, YE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH (indicating they were saved):
BUT IF THE SALT HAVE LOST HIS SAVOR (or if their light went out) (or
if you can no longer distinguish a difference between the born-again person
and the unsaved), WHEREWITH SHALL IT BE SALTED? IT IS THENCEFORTH GOOD FOR NOTHING,
BUT TO BE CAST OUT, AND TO BE TRODDEN UNDER FOOT OF MEN-Mt 5:13. IT IS NEITHER
FIT FOR THE LAND, NOR YET FOR THE DUNGHILL (manure pile); BUT MEN CAST IT OUT-Lk
14:35. Born-again Christians are the light of the earth. But if the Christians
have lost their "faith" (their light has gone out), how can they get
their faith back (their light back; the Holy Spirit)?It is written, I AM THE TRUE
VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN. EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT BEARETH NOTFRUIT HE TAKETH AWAY: AND EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARETH FRUIT, HE PURGETH
IT, THAT IT MAY BRING FORTH MORE FRUIT. NOW YE ARE CLEAN THROUGH THE WORD WHICH
I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU. ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR
FRUIT OF ITSELF, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; NO MORE CAN YE, EXCEPT YE ABIDE
I ME. I AM THE VINE, YE ARE THE BRANCHES: HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM,
THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT: FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING. IF
A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, HE IS CAST FORTH AS A BRANCH, AND IS WITHERED; AND MEN
GATHER THEM, AND CASTTHEM INTO THE FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED-Jn
15:1-6. Let us take a look at this briefly. EVERY BRANCH IN ME (represents a
born-again Christian) THAT BEARETH NOT FRUIT (that does not grow in the Word
and produce good works for the Lord) HE TAKETH AWAY...AND CAST THEM INTO THE
FIRE (the born-again Christians are cut off, and cast into the lake of fire).Jesus further reveals, that
AS THE FATHER HATH LOVED ME, SO HAVE I LOVED YOU: CONTINUE YE IN MY LOVE. IF
YE KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, YE SHALL ABIDE IN MY LOVE; EVEN AS I HAVE KEPT
MY FATHERíS COMMANDMENTS, AND ABIDE IN HIS LOVE-Jn 15:9,10. Could this be saying,
that if you do not keep His commandments, you will not abide in His love? Is
Jesus warning us, that if we do not continue in His love, we will be cut off?It is written, BEHOLD THEREFORE
THE GOODNESS AND SEVERITY OF GOD: ON THEM WHICH FELL, SEVERITY; BUT TOWARD THEE,
GOODNESS, IF THOU CONTINUE IN HIS GOODNESS: OTHERWISE THOU ALSO SHALT BE
CUT OFF. AND THEY ALSO, IF THEY ABIDE NOT STILL IN UNBELIEF, SHALL BE
GRAFTED IN: FOR GOD IS ABLE TO GRAFT THEM IN AGAIN. FOR IF THOU WERT
CUT OUT OF THE OLIVE TREE WHICH IS WILD BY NATURE, AND WERT GRAFTED CONTRARY
TO NATURE INTO A GOOD OLIVE TREE: HOW MUCH MORE SHALL THESE, WHICH BE THE NATURAL
BRANCHES, BE GRAFTED INTO THEIR OWN OLIVE TREE?-Ro 11:22-24. Behold therefore
the goodness and sternness of God. They which fell (into unbelief), were cut
off. The children of Israel were saved, as God brought them through the Red
Sea. Yet, they were cut off and perished, as they fell back into unbelief and
tempted God. They did not continue in His love and goodness. Can a person fall
back into unbelief? The answer is absolutely YES. The Scripture tells us, IF
THEY DO NOT PERSIST IN UNBELIEF, THEY WILL BE GRAFTED IN, FOR GOD IS ABLE TO
GRAFT THEM IN AGAIN-Ro 11:23 NIV. They can fall from salvation, but can get
saved and be grafted in again.

24-WHY
PARABLES?

It seems that many of the Scriptures, which tell us we can lose salvation, are
in parables. We might wonder why Jesus spoke in parables. He told them, BECAUSE
IT IS GIVEN UNTO YOU TO KNOW THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT TO
THEM IT IS NOT GIVEN. THEREFORE SPEAK I TO THEM IN PARABLES: BECAUSE THEY SEEING
SEE NOT; AND HEARING THEY HEAR NOT, NEITHER DO THEY UNDERSTAND. God is no respecter
of men. FOR THIS PEOPLEíS HEART IS WAXED GROSS, AND THEIR EARS ARE DULL OF HEARING,
AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED; LEST AT ANY TIME THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR
EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND
SHOULD BE CONVERTEDÖBUT BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES, FOR THEY SEE: AND YOUR EARS,
FOR THEY HEAR-Mt 13:11,13,15,16. God warned us, that the church of the last
days would be neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm-ref Rev 3:16,17. They would
be "blind" to the truth, and yet not know it.

Therefore,
let HIM THAT THINKETH HE STANDETH TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL-1 Cor 10:12.
Why would a person be warned to take heed, if he could not fall?
It is by Christís Gospel that YE ARE SAVED, IF YE KEEP IN MEMORY
WHAT I PREACHED UNTO YOU, UNLESS YE HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN-1 Cor 15:2. Paul
is warning the brothers in Christ, to take heed, be careful. Ye have believed,
he told them. You are saved. Yet, only "if" you keep in memory the
Word. If you do not, you have believed in vain, and you will fall.
LET THAT THEREFORE ABIDE IN YOU, WHICH YE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING.
IF THAT WHICH YE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING SHALL REMAIN IN YOU, YE ALSO
SHALL CONTINUE IN THE SON, AND IN THE FATHER-1 Jn 2:24. Again, a warning.
The Word must remain in you. If it does, then you will remain in the Son, and
in the Father. If it does not, then you will be cut off.
Paul also said, I KEEP UNDER MY BODY, AND BRING IT INTO SUBJECTION:
LEST THAT BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I HAVE PREACHED TO OTHERS, I MYSELF SHOULD BE
A CASTAWAY-1 Cor 9:27. Is Paul saying, that even he could be a castaway,
or cut off, or disqualified for the prize?

Again,
the Bible warns that in the latter times, SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH,
GIVING HEED TO SEDUCING SPIRITS, AND DOCTRINES OF DEVILS-1 Tim 4:1. We note,
that the Word says- DEPART FROM THE FAITH. These appear to be born-again Christians
that departed from the faith, and gave heed to SEDUCING SPIRITS, AND DOCTRINES
OF DEVILS. The Bible warns, that if the Word does not remain in us, we will
be cut off.
Another thing Paul tells us, is that CHRIST can BECOME OF NO EFFECT
UNTO YOU, WHOSOEVER OF YOU ARE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW; YE ARE FALLEN FROM GRACE-Gal
5:4. Some, interpret this as saying, the Galatians have fallen away from the
message of grace. We must always be careful with the trust that has been given
to us. That trust is the Word. Ask God for wisdom, not man. It does clearly
say, FALLEN FROM GRACE.
Next, Peter warns us, saying, YE THEREFORE, BELOVED, SEEING YE
KNOW THESE THINGS BEFORE, BEWARE LEST YE ALSO, BEING LED AWAY
WITH THE ERROR OF THE WICKED, FALL FROM YOUR OWN STEADFASTNESS-2
Pe 3:17. This message is to born-again believers in Jesus. "BEWARE,"
that you do not fall from your secure position. No power can snatch us from
the loving hand of Jesus. Nevertheless, if we ourselveschoose
to depart from the faith, then we "FALL FROM" our own steadfastness;
we fall from grace. We can be cut off and become a castaway. We have believed
in vain. We no longer continue in His love.
It is written, NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH: BUT IF ANY
MAN DRAW BACK, MY SOUL SHALL HAVE NO PLEASURE IN HIM. BUT WE ARE NOT OF
THEM WHO DRAW BACK UNTO PERDITION (and are destroyed); BUT OF
THEM THAT BELIEVE TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL-Heb 10:38,39. We live by faith;
but if we draw back from our faith, we will be destroyed, and hell awaits us.
In the Revelation, Jesus says, NEVERTHELESS I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST
THEE, BECAUSE THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE. REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM
WHENCE THOU ART FALLEN, AND REPENT, AND DO THE FIRST WORKS; OR
ELSE I WILL COME UNTO THEE QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK OUT OF HIS
PLACE, EXCEPT THOU REPENT-Rev 2:4,5. They had left their first love (Jesus).
He tells them, THOU ART FALLEN...REPENT, OR ELSE I WILL COME UNTO THEE
QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK...EXCEPT THOU REPENT. They are being
warned to repent and return to their first love (Jesus), AND DO THE FIRST WORKS;
otherwise, Jesus will come quickly and their candlestick will be removed (they
will lose their salvation). God is also warning us, if we stray too far,or
for too long, it may be too late.

It
is written, HE THAT OVERCOMETH, THE SAME SHALL BE CLOTHED IN WHITE
RAIMENT; AND I WILL NOT BLOT OUT HIS NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, BUT
I WILL CONFESS HIS NAME BEFORE MY FATHER, AND BEFORE HIS ANGELS-Rev 3:5. If
we do not overcome the world once we are "called or saved," then our
name will be removed from the book of life.
AND IF ANY MAN SHALL TAKE AWAY FROM THE WORDS OF THE BOOK OF THIS
PROPHECY, GOD SHALL TAKE AWAY HIS PART OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, AND OUT
OF THE HOLY CITY, AND FROM THE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK-Rev 22:19.
There is no question, for example, that we can be saved, but if we commit this
sin, our name will be removed from the book of life. We have lost our salvation.

After
studying the Scriptures on whether or not you can lose your salvation, there
would appear to be no room for doubt. A person can lose his salvation. We have
read, however, that there are many other verses which would seem to indicate
that we cannot lose our salvation. It almost sounds like there is a contradiction.
Yet we know this is not true. There is no contradiction in the Bible.
As we have studied the many verses, it is easily understood why
some people believe one way (on the basis of many verses of Scripture that appear
to support their opinion), while others believe another way (also on the basis
of many verses of Scripture). Both the doctrines (that you can, or that you
cannot lose salvation) tend to be heavily supported by Godís Word. Of course,
you will not usually hear a denomination which believes you can lose salvation,
quoting the Scriptures that seem to indicate you cannot, and vice versa. The
answer to this question lies in Godís Word. However, if you do not have an open
mind, which is receptive to Godís Wordóand many people do notóthen you will
not understand. For example, if you are from a certain denomination, you are
probably convinced that you cannot lose salvation. It may be so deeply
rooted, that not even Godís perfect Word speaking to you, would change your
mind. In like manner, if you are from another denomination, which believes you
can lose your salvation, nothing may be able to change your mind either.
This is a big problem and hindrance, when studying Godís Word. If you already
know (or think you know) the answer, then how can God correct you? You can only
learn from Godís Word when you approach Him with the attitude, "Lord, I
donít know. I am looking to You for the answer. Please show me." If you
are seeking manís opinion, you will believe as he does. If you are seeking Godís
answer with all your heart in reverent submission and with no preconceived opinions,
then God will richly reward you and give you "HIS" truth. If you are
seeking the answer in a theology school, your opinion will be as theirs is.
It may be correct, or it may be wrong. Heavenly Father, please grant each of
our readers, an open heart. May the eyes of their understanding be enlightened
and may the truth of Your Holy Word clear up all confusion in Jesus name. Amen.

25-THE
CONCLUSION: WHO IS RIGHT? CAN A SAVED PERSON LOSE THEIR SALVATION OR NOT?

Godís
Word gives us the answer, but it may not be what you want to hear. The answer
lies not in denominational teachings, but in the perfect Word of God only.

26-MESSAGE
TO THE CHURCHES

To
understand why this disagreement has come about, we need to search the Scriptures.
The heart of some controversy can be seen in the following:

The church in the
last days before the Rapture would be neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm

The church would
say they are rich

The church would
say they are increased with goods

The church would
say they have need of nothing

But
they are really:

wretched (in preaching
the Gospel)

miserable (in preaching
the Gospel)

poor (in preaching
the Gospel)

blind (in preaching
the Gospel)

naked (in preaching
the Gospel)

Perhaps,
every church would agree with this. They might say, "Yes, that church down
the street is all of these things," thinking that most other preachers,
rabbi, and priests are teaching wrongly, but not themselves.These Scriptures are talking
to each of us. Most are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked in
preaching the Gospel in this generation.These verses in chapter 3 of
the Revelation are "to the Bible-teaching churches."These verses are to those who
are preaching Godís Word.

These
verses are speaking to each of us, you and me.Yet, listen to Godís Word,
as He speaks to us further.

The church "KNOWEST
NOT" that they are wretched (in preaching the Gospel). Thatís right.
Not only is the church wretched, they do not even know it. You and I have
been blind to these truths. Godís Word says so.

The church "KNOWEST
NOT" that they are miserable (in preaching the Gospel). This includes
you and me.

The church "KNOWEST
NOT" that they are poor (in preaching the Gospel). This includes you
and me.

The church "KNOWEST
NOT" that they are blind (in preaching the Gospel). This includes you
and me.

The church "KNOWEST
NOT" that they are naked (in preaching the Gospel). This includes you
and me.

Did
you hear that? The church (including you and me) does not know it is blind!We need to get out of denominational
teaching and pray that God will lift this blindness from our eyes. Let us teach
the "Word" as found in the entire Gospel, as Jesus did, and as the
apostles did. We need to preach the whole message of salvation, not just "say
a prayer." In dealing with others who are born-again, let us remember,
that as brothers in Christ, we are to love one another and endeavor to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, without compromising sound doctrine.
We must examine all things in light of Godís Word, and be ready and willing
to change if we are off course. We are not to judge "another manís servant";
we are not to judge each otherís motives, but we are to expose teachings that
are contrary to sound doctrine; however, in so doing, we should be careful,
as it may be us who is wrong. With all of our heart, let us dwell in the greatest
commandment, the commandment of love. HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR-Rev
3:22.

Yes,
blindness is covering Israel, but it is also covering the church of today. As
the children of Israel do not know they are blinded, neither do the Bible-believing
churches of today. ANOINT THINE EYES WITH EYESALVE, THAT THOU MAYEST SEE-Rev
3:18. Are you of these who will be spewed out?

It is written, AND YOU, THAT WERE SOMETIME ALIENATED AND ENEMIES IN YOUR MIND
BY WICKED WORKS, YET NOW HATH HE RECONCILED IN THE BODY OF HIS FLESH THROUGH
DEATH, TO PRESENT YOU HOLY AND UNBLAMEABLE AND UNREPROVABLE IN HIS SIGHT (Paul
is speaking to the saved, to the believers. He now gives them a warning): IF
YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH GROUNDED AND SETTLED, AND BE NOT MOVED AWAY FROM THE
HOPE OF THE GOSPEL-Col 1:21-23. No guarantees. Just a warning to those who
are in the faith. That warning is once you are saved, you can fall away, "if"
you do not continue in the faith, grounded and settled. There is also
another "if."If you be not moved away from the hope of
the Gospel. The key is the word "FAITH." We must
also remember, that faith without works is dead. How often do we hear a message
on faith with works and obedience? It seems, because so many cults are preaching
that works save you, our churches have gone in the opposite direction. We seem
to forget that works make faith perfect (or complete). We are not saved by works,
but through faith. However, if our faith is not followed by works, there is
no faith; and we are lost. The Bible tells us, BUT BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD,
AND NOT HEARERS ONLY-Ja 1:22. Paulís message in Col 1:21-23, makes it very clear.
You were enemies, but now you are reconciled. You have put off the old and have
been renewed. Yes, you are saved, but only "if" you continue in the
faith. As we study the messages of the epistles, we see a pattern. You are saved,
but do not go back to the way you were, or you will be lost, cut off, and your
name removed from the book of life. You are saved; "but if" you return
to your old ways, you are lost.As we proceed, we see there
is no contradiction. All the verses harmonize perfectly together. All the verses
(those that appear to say we can lose our salvation, and those that appear to
say we cannot), need to be put together. When this is done, the complete picture
is presented. No longer is there "denominational doctrine," but the
beauty of Godís Word in perfect harmony and truth.Paul told us in Col 1:22,23-You
are RECONCILEDÖTO PRESENT YOU HOLY AND UNBLAMEABLE AND UNREPROVABLE IN HIS SIGHT:
IF YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH. Faith is required to stand.Jesus said, IF YE
KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, YE SHALL ABIDE IN MY LOVE. He is speaking to those
who are already saved. As we see Him say in the next verse, THESE THINGS HAVE
I SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THAT MY JOY MIGHT REMAIN IN YOU-Jn 15:10,11. If the joy might
remain, then they already have it. They are saved. Yet, is not Jesus warning
them that they could lose His joy?

It
is written, THIS IS LOVE, THAT WE WALK AFTER HIS COMMANDMENTS-2 Jn 6. BY THIS
GOSPEL YOU ARE SAVED, IF YOU HOLD FIRMLY TO THE WORD...OTHERWISE YOU
HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN-1 Cor 15:2 NIV. Again, we see they believed. We see
once more, the message, if you do not hold firmly to the Word, then you are
lost; you have believed in vain. You may be saved, but you can also fall away
and be lost.Another verse warns us to STAND
FIRM, THEN, AND DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE BURDENED AGAIN BY THE YOKE OF SLAVERY-Gal
5:1 NIV. Paul is telling them, it is possible to fall back into the bondage
or yoke of slavery to Satan. You were a slave to sin, but now you are
free. However, be careful, or you will fall back to where you were.It would have BEEN BETTER FOR
THEM NOT TO HAVE KNOWN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (they were saved), THAN, AFTER
THEY HAD KNOWN IT, TO TURN FROM THE HOLY COMMANDMENT DELIVERED
UNTO THEM. BUT IT IS HAPPENED UNTO THEM ACCORDING TO THE TRUE PROVERB, THE DOG
IS TURNED TO HIS OWN VOMIT AGAIN; AND THE SOW THAT WAS WASHED TO HER
WALLOWING IN THE MIRE-2 Pe 2:21,22.FOR WE ARE MADE PARTAKERS OF
CHRIST, IF WE HOLD THE BEGINNING OF OUR CONFIDENCE STEADFAST UNTO
THE END-Heb 3:14. Again, we see the same warning to the believers. We know they
were saved, as it said, CONFIDENCE they had, or the faith they had; as it is
written, CONFIDENCEBY THE FAITH-Eph 3:12.Note, full assurance and hope
are byproducts of faith; FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH-Heb 10:22; WAIT FOR
THE HOPEÖBY FAITH-Gal 5:5; WE ARE SAVED BY HOPE-Ro 8:24. They were warned
to hold steadfast unto the end. If they did not, if they fell away, they were
not partakers of Christ. They fell back to Satan.Then Jesus said, TO THOSE JEWS
WHICH BELIEVED ON HIM (note this is said to believers, to the saved), IF
YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD (Jesus was warning them they could fall, if they
did not continue in His Word. Even though they believed and were saved, He was
telling them to be careful, lest they fall back into unbelief and lose their
salvation), THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED-Jn 8:31.AND WE DESIRE THAT EVERY ONE
OF YOU DO SHOW THE SAME DILIGENCE TO THE FULL ASSURANCE OF HOPE UNTO THE END:
AND SO, AFTER HE HAD PATIENTLY ENDURED, HE OBTAINED THE PROMISE-Heb
6:11,15. Once more, we are being shown that salvation is guaranteed, only to
those who hold firm until the very end, the confidence they had at the first.
When you first believe, repent, are baptized (by immersion), confess Jesus publicly,
and begin the journey of obedience; if through the many trials and tests
that come on you (to see if your faith is genuine), you fall away; then the
Bible warns, it would have been better for you not to have known the way of
righteousness, than after you have known it, to turn away. Jesus warned His
followers with this message. The apostles warned their followers. Paul, over
and over, warned the believers about losing their faith, thus, losing their
salvation. Are you hearing this message?It is written, NOW THE JUST
SHALL LIVE BY FAITH (the saved): BUT IF ANY MAN DRAW BACK
(Draw back from what? His faith), MY SOUL SHALL HAVE NO PLEASURE IN HIM-Heb
10:38.Again, Jesus tells us, HE
THAT ENDURETH TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED-Mt 10:22. We are not born-again
at the end are we? Are we not born-again the moment we repent and submit to
God's righteousness by faith? Yet, the Scriptures tell us, we are saved IF we
endure to the end, IF we do not draw back, and IF we do not fall away. We may
be born-again (saved), but if we do not hold firm all the way, we are cut off
from the "tree"-ref Ro 11:17-22.WHEREFORE LET HIM THAT THINKETH
HE STANDETH TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL-1 Cor 10:12. Fall from what? Fall
from his faith, from his salvation back into Satanís domain. But God gives us
comfort, as the Scripture says, THERE HATH NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU BUT SUCH
AS IS COMMON TO MAN: BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED
ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; BUT WILL WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY TO ESCAPE,
THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT-1 Cor 10:13.The key to putting all the
verses together is the parable of the sower. Although we have already covered
this earlier in the text, you may now have a deeper understanding of the Scriptures.
Remember, the key to knowledge is the fear of the Lord. As it is written, THE
FEAR OF THE LORD, THAT IS WISDOM; AND TO DEPART FROM EVIL IS UNDERSTANDING-Job
28:28.

A
SOWER WENT OUT TO SOW HIS SEED: AND AS HE SOWED, SOME FELL BY THE WAY SIDE;
AND IT WAS TRODDEN DOWN, AND THE FOWLS OF THE AIR DEVOURED IT. AND SOME FELL
UPON A ROCK; AND AS SOON AS IT WAS SPRUNG UP, IT WITHERED AWAY, BECAUSE IT LACKED
MOISTURE. AND SOME FELL AMONG THORNS; AND THE THORNS SPRANG UP WITH IT, AND
CHOKED IT. AND OTHER FELL ON GOOD GROUND, AND SPRANG UP, AND BARE FRUIT AN HUNDREDFOLD.

Then
Jesus explains the parable. THE SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD.

1)
THOSE BY THE WAY SIDE ARE THEY THAT HEAR; THEN COMETH THE DEVIL, AND TAKETH
AWAY THE WORD OUT OF THEIR HEARTS, LEST THEY SHOULD BELIEVE AND BE SAVED. These
people do not get saved. They refuse to be baptized by immersion, and they are
disobedient. They are full of excuses. They might profess to be Christians,
but by their actions they deny Him. They wander in darkness, not knowing where
they are going, yet feeling secure. They might know the Scriptures (but not
obey them), or they may hardly know any Scripture.

2)
THEY ON THE ROCK ARE THEY, WHICH, WHEN THEY HEAR, RECEIVE THE WORD WITH JOY;
AND THESE HAVE NO ROOT, WHICH FOR A WHILE BELIEVE, AND IN TIME OF TEMPTATION
FALL AWAY. These are people who do indeed believe. They receive the Word with
joy. They have followed in obedience, to repent and be baptized by immersion.
They are born-again. They have received the Holy Spirit. Now, their faith will
be tested through temptations, to see if it is genuine. Only those who stand
firm to the end will be saved. Time after time, we have seen through the Scriptures
a warning. Once you are saved, if you do not stand firm, you will be cut off.
Once you are saved, if you give in to temptations, and turn away from God, your
name can be taken out of the book of life.

3)
AND THAT WHICH FELL AMONG THORNS ARE THEY, WHICH, WHEN THEY HAVE HEARD, GO FORTH,
AND ARE CHOKED WITH CARES AND RICHES AND PLEASURES OF THIS LIFE, AND BRING NO
FRUIT TO PERFECTION. These people are also born-again. They hear the Word and
receive it. They have begun their journey in obedience. They have repented and
been baptized. They are born-again. However, they are choked with the cares
of this world; and they fall away. They lose their salvation. They are cut off.
They fall from grace. Some fall and are cut off, because of the riches of this
world. Some go back into the world because of the pleasures of this life. Study
the epistles. Over and over, they warn the believers. The message is frequently
repeated in the Scriptures. You are saved. You have faith. You believe. But
now, you must hold firm to the confidence which you had in the beginning.
But now, you must continue in the faith, grounded and settled.
But now, you must not be moved away from the hope of the Gospel.
But now, you must keep His commandments. But now,
you must hold firmly to the Word; you must continue in His Word. But now,
you must show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope to the end.
Finally, you must not draw back. Paul told the believers, that they were BELOVED
OF GOD, CALLED TO BE SAINTS-Ro 1:7. But now, watch out. Satan will come and
try to draw you away. If you go back into sin, back into the love of this world,
back to where you were before you were saved, then you will be cut off. You
will lose your salvation and will be worse off than before.

4)
BUT THAT ON THE GOOD GROUND ARE THEY, WHICH IN AN HONEST AND GOOD HEART, HAVING
HEARD THE WORD, KEEP IT, AND BRING FORTH FRUIT WITH PATIENCE-Lk 8:5-15. Just
a few will make it to this point. Just a few will not fall away. Just a few
will find that narrow gate that leads to eternal life.

The
parable of the sower is the key to all the verses we have covered. It provides
us with an outline to help us understand Godís marvelous Word.

It
is written, BUT THIS SPAKE HE OF THE SPIRIT WHICH THEY THAT BELIEVE ON HIM SHOULD
RECEIVE-Jn 7:39. We note, that in number 2 of the parable of the sower, they
received the Word with joy. They believe for a while. The New Testament tells
us, time after time, when they believed, they were baptized. That baptism was
by immersion. They repented, and were baptized. It is written, THAT WE MIGHT
RECEIVE THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH Gal 3:14. Thus, we have two
conditions on receiving the Holy Spirit. Believe, and have faith. It is written,
IN WHOM YE ALSO TRUSTED, AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF
YOUR SALVATION: IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT
HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE-Eph 1:13. We note again, after ye believed, ye were sealed
with the Holy Spirit. Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY
ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL
RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST-Acts 2:38. That gives us 4 conditions to
receive the Holy Spirit. Believe, faith, repent, and be baptized.

In
number 2 of the parable of the sower, those who received the Word with joy and
believed, received the promised Holy Spirit. We have seen that we must undergo
many trials and temptations to prove our faith genuine. Temptations are not
for the unsaved, as there is no faith present to prove. Temptations are for
the saved: to prove their faith, whether it is strong or weak; to see if they
will stand the test, or not; to see if they will be obedient to Godís commands,
or not; and to see if they will trust in the Lord, no matter what befalls them.
Those in number 2 were saved, but in the time of temptation, they fell away.
These were written in the Lambís book of life, but did not stand by faith; they
fell from grace.MY LITTLE CHILDREN, OF WHOM
I TRAVAIL IN BIRTH AGAIN UNTIL CHRIST BE FORMED IN YOU-Gal 4:19. Your faith
will grow in proportion to how much faith food (the Word of God) you put in
and the type of heart you have to digest and believe it.It is written, IN WHOM YE ALSO
TRUSTED, AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION:
IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF
PROMISE, WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE
PURCHASED POSSESSION, UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY-Eph 1:13,14. Please note
carefully, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE. What is the Holy
Spirit of promise? The next Scripture gives us the answer. WHICH IS THE EARNEST
OF OUR INHERITANCE.

30-THE
EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT

"EARNEST"
or arrabon, in the original text of the Bible, means money deposited
by the purchaser and forfeited if the purchase was not completed.
It was thought to be a Phoenician word which was introduced into Greece. In
modern Greek, arrabona, is an engagement ring. Regretfully, some modern
Bible versions have translated this word incorrectly, which has caused some
confusion. The Bible has already given us the formula for completing a purchase.
Jesus paid it all; however, the purchase is not complete until WE HOLD THE BEGINNING
OF OUR CONFIDENCE STEADFAST UNTO THE END-Heb 3:14. We enter into a contract
(a covenant, or solemn agreement) when we receive Jesus as Saviour. Jesus is
the Groom, and we are the bride. He has given us a pledge or token of this contract,
a ring, in a manner of speaking. We can receive, or reject it. He cannot break
His contract with us. He has pledged to marry us. He will never leave or forsake
the contract. The price of our purchase has already been paid. Now that we have
accepted the terms of the contract, we receive the engagement ring (the Holy
Spirit) as a deposit; thus, we are sealed unto Jesus as His bride. During this
period of being sealed, many temptations will come against us. When Jesus finally
marries us, He wants to be sure we will continue to be faithful, and not try
to divorce Him. Remember the fallen angels? Likewise, we also will now have
to undergo temptations and tests, to see if our faith and love is real. Will
we wait for the Bridegroom no matter what happens? or will we finally get tired
of waiting and run off to serve another? We are bought for a price; that price
was His death. He purchased us to be His bride. However, we can take off
the engagement ring, and say, "We have changed our mind." We can walk
away before the "marriage feast of the Lamb." Once we believe,
the Lord gives us the Holy Spirit to help us stand firm. He assures us that
no temptations will come on us that are more than we can handle. Our love and
our faith will undergo testing until the day we die. If we hold firm till the
end, then we will be with Him. If we fall away, the engagement ring is forfeited.
We cannot keep it, as it is the Holy Spirit Who guarantees we are His. Yet,
many do turn their backs on this marriage contract. Many do forfeit the
engagement ring. Many do lose the Holy Spirit, and the penalty is death, the
lake of fire. Yes, we are saved when we receive the Holy Spirit. We are born-again.
Nevertheless, the purchase is not complete until we have finished the race.
We must die in faith-ref Heb 11:13.

Will
we stand the test? Will we fight the good fight? Will Jesus say to us, "Well
done, good and faithful servant"? We are saved through faith. We receive
the Holy Spirit as a deposit. We go through testing and trials, to see if we
will hold firm till the end. The few who stand the test, and do not give in
to the temptations that come upon them, have a reward waiting, which is beyond
anything we can even comprehend. That reward is eternal, everlasting joy. The
end result of our obedience is reward beyond our imagination. The end result
of disobedience (not waiting for our Groom to come for us) is eternal damnation,
everlasting torment, outer darkness, and the lake of fire. Remember, you are
purchased by Jesus (Who paid the price), and that purchase is completed at the
end, after the trials and tests have come upon you, and after you have stood
the test. Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. If we do not live for Jesus
now, if we do not do what pleases Him now, if we do not remain faithful and
true to Him now, then we will not be with Him for the marriage. The choice is
yours.It is written, NOW HE THAT
HATH WROUGHT US FOR THE SELFSAME THING IS GOD, WHO ALSO HATH GIVEN UNTO US THE
EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT-2 Cor 5:5. The Spirit is given unto us as a deposit by
the Purchaser (Jesus), and forfeited if the purchase is not completed. NOW HE
WHICH STABLISHETH US WITH YOU IN CHRIST, AND HATH ANOINTED, US IS GOD; WHO HATH
ALSO SEALED US, AND GIVEN THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS-2 Cor 1:21,22.
He has sealed us and given the Spirit as a deposit. Nevertheless, the Spirit
is forfeited if the purchase is not completed, that is, if we do not hold steadfast
to the end our obedience, which is by faith. We are born-again by the Holy Spirit.
As long as we keep our end of the contract, we are kept by the power of God
unto the day of redemption.

The
Lord, in His lovingkindness, hath said, SURELY THEY ARE MY PEOPLE, CHILDREN
THAT WILL NOT LIE: SO HE WAS THEIR SAVIOUR. IN ALL THEIR AFFLICTION HE WAS AFFLICTED,
AND THE ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE SAVED THEM: IN HIS LOVE AND IN HIS PITY HE REDEEMED
THEM; AND HE BARE THEM, AND CARRIED THEM ALL THE DAYS OF OLD. BUT THEY REBELLED,
AND VEXED HIS HOLY SPIRIT: THEREFORE HE WAS TURNED TO BE THEIR ENEMY, AND HE
FOUGHT AGAINST THEM-Isa 63:8-10. Once we are saved, if we fall away, we have
only a small amount of time before our candlestick is removed, before
we are cut off, before our name is taken out of the book of life, and the Holy
Spirit leaves us. We are warned not to grieve the Holy Spirit, not to tempt
the Spirit of the Lord, and not to quench (or put out) the Holy Spirit. It is
written, HOW IS IT THAT YE HAVE AGREED TOGETHER TO TEMPT THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD?
BEHOLD, THE FEET OF THEM WHICH HAVE BURIED THY HUSBAND ARE AT THE DOOR, AND
SHALL CARRY THEE OUT. THEN FELL SHE DOWN STRAIGHTWAY AT HIS FEET, AND YIELDED
UP THE GHOST...AND GREAT FEAR CAME UPON ALL THE CHURCH Acts 5:9-11. AND GRIEVE
NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, WHEREBY YE ARE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION-Eph
4:30. FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE-Ro 8:13. QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT-1
Thes 5:19. Do not put the Holy Spirit out.The Bible tells us, that IF
WE SIN WILLFULLY AFTER THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF
THE TRUTH, THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, BUT A CERTAIN FEARFUL
LOOKING FOR OF JUDGMENT AND FIERY INDIGNATION, WHICH SHALL DEVOUR THE ADVERSARIES.
HE THAT DESPISED MOSESí LAW DIED WITHOUT MERCY UNDER TWO OR THREE WITNESSES:
OF HOW MUCH SORER PUNISHMENT, SUPPOSE YE, SHALL HE BE THOUGHT WORTHY, WHO HATH
TRODDEN UNDER FOOT THE SON OF GOD, AND HATH COUNTED THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT,
WHEREWITH HE WAS SANCTIFIED, AN UNHOLY THING, AND HATH DONE DESPITE UNTO THE
SPIRIT OF GRACE?-Heb 10:26-29. HOW MUCH MORE SEVERELY DO YOU THINK A MAN DESERVES
TO BE PUNISHED WHO HAS TRAMPLED THE SON OF GOD UNDER FOOT, WHO HAS TREATED AS
AN UNHOLY THING THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT THAT SANCTIFIED HIM, AND WHO HAS INSULTED
THE SPIRIT OF GRACE?-Heb 10:29 NIV.When you make that decision
for Jesus, it is a very serious thing. You have made an agreement with God to
follow, serve, and obey Jesus. This is why the Scriptures tell us, FOR IT HAD
BEEN BETTER FOR THEM NOT TO HAVE KNOWN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAN, AFTER
THEY HAD KNOWN IT, TO TURN FROM THE HOLY COMMANDMENT DELIVERED UNTO THEM-2 Pe
2:21. CAST NOT AWAY THEREFORE YOUR CONFIDENCE, WHICH HATH GREAT RECOMPENSE OF
REWARD-Heb 10:35. Do not cast away your faith, and fall back into sin, and lose
the Holy Spirit. Hold steadfast till the end. NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH:
BUT IF ANY MAN DRAW BACK (Draw back from what? Draw back from faith),
MY SOUL SHALL HAVE NO PLEASURE IN HIM-Heb 10:38. In other words, if he draws
back, he draws back to his old nature; he is drawing back to Satan. BUT WE ARE
NOT OF THEM WHO DRAW BACK UNTO PERDITION (unto destruction)-Heb 10:39. Both
Judas and the beast are referred to as sons of perdition-ref Jn 17:12; 2 Thes
2:3. THEREFORE BROTHERS (these are saved people), WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION-BUT
IT IS NOT TO THE SINFUL NATURE, TO LIVE ACCORDING TO IT. FOR IF YOU LIVE ACCORDING
TO THE SINFUL NATURE, YOU WILL DIE-Ro 8:12,13 NIV.

It
is written, WHEREFORE TAKE UNTO YOU THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE
ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND-Eph 6:13. The
Gospel of peace is our armour. Without the Word "in us," we cannot
stand against Satan. Without the Word in a new born-again Christian, he should
quickly fall back into sin, and into the world and worldly things as temptations
come against him. Faith comes from the Word. This is why it is so important
for a new born-again Christian to study Godís Word. Jesus stood against the
schemes of Satan with the Word. The disciples stood against Satan with the Word,
which was in their minds and in their hearts. We are KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD
THROUGH FAITH UNTO SALVATION READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME-1 Pe 1:5.
We are kept by Godís power, THROUGH FAITH. Faith comes from the Word. No Word,
no faith, and you should fall away. Not obeying the Word, no evidence of faith,
and you should fall away. Not doing the Word, no evidence of faith, and you
should fall away. This is why Godís Word says, BUT BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD,
AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES-Ja 1:22. You cannot stand against
Satan without the Word. You cannot stand against temptations, when they come,
without the Word.And you, HATH HE RECONCILED
(you are saved) IF YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH GROUNDED AND SETTLED, AND BE NOT
MOVED AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL-Col 1:21,23. God is warning us to continue
in the faith. BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU THROUGH PHILOSOPHY AND VAIN DECEIT,
AFTER THE TRADITION OF MEN, AFTER THE RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD, AND NOT AFTER
CHRIST-Col 2:8. SANCTIFY THEM THROUGH THY TRUTH: THY WORD IS TRUTH-Jn 17:17.
Again, we see the need for the Word. Sanctify them through the Word. Paul said,
I FEAR, LEST BY ANY MEANS, AS THE SERPENT BEGUILED EVE THROUGH HIS SUBTILTY,
SO YOUR MINDS SHOULD BE CORRUPTED FROM THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST-2 Cor
11:3. He appears worried about them falling back to a corrupted mind.

31-THE
UNFORGIVABLE SIN

The
Bible gives us warnings about the sin which cannot be forgiven.
The Holy Scriptures say, THERE IS A SIN UNTO DEATH: I DO NOT SAY THAT HE SHALL
PRAY FOR IT-1 Jn 5:16. WHEREFORE I SAY UNTO YOU, ALL MANNER OF SIN AND BLASPHEMY
SHALL BE FORGIVEN UNTO MEN: BUT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST SHALL NOT
BE FORGIVEN UNTO MEN. AND WHOSOEVER SPEAKETH A WORD AGAINST THE SON OF MAN,
IT SHALL BE FORGIVEN HIM: BUT WHOSOEVER SPEAKETH AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST, IT
SHALL NOT BE FORGIVEN HIM, NEITHER IN THIS WORLD, NEITHER IN THE WORLD TO COME-Mt
12:31,32. Some possible examples of this are in Mk 3:28-30; Lk 12:10; Gal 1:6-9;
Eph 4:19; Heb 10:29; Rev 22:18,19. Some ways indicated by Scripture that we
could commit the unforgivable sin are changing Godís Word (adding or taking
away from the prophecy of this book); insulting the Spirit of grace (with sin);
trampling the blood of Jesus by which you are sanctified; blasphemy against
the Holy Spirit; and saying that Jesus is possessed by an evil spirit and casts
out devils by Beelzebub-ref Mt 12:24,31 and Mk 3:22,28. We must always be very
careful, to guard our words. When we speak against someone who Jesus sends,
we are speaking against Jesus Himself-ref Ro 15:3; Mt 25:40. When a person in
a church says a word against any child of God, these words fall on Jesus. They
will have to give account of every idle word in the day of judgment.

It is written, BUT THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD DEPARTED FROM SAUL, AND AN EVIL SPIRIT
FROM THE LORD TROUBLED HIM-1 Sam 16:14. AND SAUL WAS AFRAID OF DAVID, BECAUSE
THE LORD WAS WITH HIM, AND WAS DEPARTED FROM SAUL-1 Sam 18:12. CAST ME NOT AWAY
FROM THY PRESENCE; AND TAKE NOT THY HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME. RESTORE UNTO ME THE
JOY OF THY SALVATION; AND UPHOLD ME WITH THY FREE SPIRIT-Ps 51:11,12. We see
that the Spirit of the Lord was with Saul, but the Lord later departed from
him. David was afraid that the Spirit would also depart from him; however, he
repented in time. The Lord did not depart. If we turn away, how long does the
Lord give before the Spirit will leave us? We have examples in the Scriptures
that just one sin was enough for the Lord to turn away. We have other examples
in the Scriptures where the Lord waited. The only answer that can really be
given is, Rev 2:5-I WILL COME UNTO THEE QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK
OUT OF HIS PLACE, EXCEPT THOU REPENT. We note that, indeed, David did repent.If we have never come to Jesus,
how long does God give us to repent, and make that decision? The Bible says
AND I GAVE HER SPACE TO REPENT OF HER FORNICATION; AND SHE REPENTED NOT-Rev
2:21. We have an allotted time; only God knows how long it is, before He will
turn His back. What a tragedy when that happens! Then there is no hope, for
God may give us over to a reprobate mind. We can only come to Jesus as God calls
us. The time may come, when He calls you no longer. Time after time, God has
given people a chance to repent; but time after time, people have turned away.
Have your sins hardened you toward God?

Paul
tells us, BUT NOW, AFTER THAT YE HAVE KNOWN GOD, OR RATHER ARE KNOWN OF GOD
(we see these people are saved, as they are known of God), HOW TURN YE AGAIN
TO THE WEAK AND BEGGARLY ELEMENTS, WHEREUNTO YE DESIRE AGAIN TO BE IN BONDAGE?
These are saved, born-again brothers, being warned that they can fall back into
the bondage of the Law and fall from the grace that they are now under. Now
we brethren, AS ISAAC WAS, ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE. BUT AS THEN HE THAT
WAS BORN AFTER THE FLESH PERSECUTED HIM THAT WAS BORN AFTER THE SPIRIT, EVEN
SO IT IS NOW. I AM AFRAID OF YOU (for you), LEST I HAVE BESTOWED UPON YOU LABOUR
IN VAIN-Gal 4:9,28,29,11. Paul is trying to warn them not to fall back into
the bondage of the Law, by turning away from the freedom they have through grace.
Paul is afraid they will fall away and lose their salvation. That all his work
in preaching to them and getting them to commit their lives to Jesus will have
been in vain.When they had prayed, THE PLACE
WAS SHAKEN WHERE THEY WERE ASSEMBLED TOGETHER; AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH
THE HOLY GHOSTÖAND GREAT GRACE WAS UPON THEM ALL. BUT A CERTAIN MAN NAMED ANANIAS,
SOLD A POSSESSION, AND KEPT BACK PART OF THE PRICEÖBUT PETER SAID, ANANIAS,
WHY HATH SATAN FILLED THINE HEART TO LIE TO THE HOLY GHOST, AND TO KEEP BACK
PART OF THE PRICE OF THE LAND? AND ANANIAS HEARING THESE WORDS FELL DOWN, AND
GAVE UP THE GHOST; AND GREAT FEAR CAME ON ALL THEM THAT HEARD THESE THINGS-Acts
4:31,33; 5:1,3,5. We note that Ananias was saved as they all were filled with
the Holy Ghost and great grace was upon them all. Yet, he fell away and lied
to the Holy Ghost.Heb 6:4-6 covers the Millennium,
when Jesus Christ shall reign in Jerusalem. Certain words may be noted, such
as, THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME and RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE.The Bible tells us, FOR IT
IS IMPOSSIBLEFOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED,AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY
GIFT,AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF
THE HOLY GHOST,AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD
OF GOD,AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD
TO COME,IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO
RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON
OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME-Heb 6:4-6. It is impossible for
a born-again person during the Millenniumówho has tasted of the heavenly gift
(the Holy Spirit), and has been a partaker of the Holy Ghost (as we have seen
the Holy Spirit is given as a deposit), and has tasted the good Word of God,
and the powers of the world to comeóif they fall away or fall
from grace, to renew them again unto repentance (they cannot renew and come
back to Jesus and be saved again); seeing they crucify to themselves the Son
of God afresh (the second time, again), and put Him to an open shame (as Jesus
is present on earth reigning and ruling for 1000 years). This verse is covering
people who are saved and fall away during the Millennium. They will be eternally
lost. During the Millennium, people can also fall away.

33-LAST
COMMENTS REGARDING THIS MESSAGE

Praise
Jesus! Through the wisdom He has given, Godís everlasting truth has been revealed
in abundance.

Last
comments regarding this message are found in Jn 5:37; Mt 7:22,23-I NEVER KNEW
YOU. For a further explanation of these words refer to Ezek 3:20 and 33:13,18.Regarding 1 Jn 2:19, you may
find the answer in point numbers 2 and 3 of the parable of the sower and in
Ezek 3:20; 33:13,18.

We
trust that Heb 13:5 has already been answered as has Jn 6:27. As for Eph 5:30,
we have covered in several versesóIF we hold steadfast to the end, the confidence
that we had in the beginning.

We
hope that any questions regarding Ro 8:38,39; Jn 10:27-29; Isa 43:1,2; Ro 8:35;
Jn 6:39,40 have been answered for you. It is by faith that you stand firm. Also
note Gal 4:9,28,29,11.

Finally,
the Scripture tells us, AGAIN, WHEN A RIGHTEOUS MAN DOTH TURN FROM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS,
AND COMMIT INIQUITY, AND I LAY A STUMBLINGBLOCK BEFORE HIM, HE SHALL DIE...AND
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH HE HATH DONE SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED-Ezek 3:20. ALL
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESSES (which is Jesus) SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED; BUT FOR HIS INIQUITY
THAT HE HATH COMMITTED, HE SHALL DIE FOR IT-Ezek 33:13. IF HE TURN FROM HIS
SIN, AND DO THAT WHICH IS LAWFUL AND RIGHT; NONE OF HIS SINS THAT HE HATH COMMITTED
SHALL BE MENTIONED UNTO HIM: WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS TURNETH FROM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS,
AND COMMITTETH INIQUITY, HE SHALL EVEN DIE THEREBY-Ezek 33:14,16,18.(Note: Some Scriptures are
not complete, but are listed in part.)